Young patriotic White men should be joining or creating local militias, not enlisting in the Globohomo military. Such militia service is much less likely to generate the suicide problem we see with veterans of the Empire.
Another good historical analogy for the GAE is the Carthaginian empire, a thalassocracy that practiced ritual child sacrifice. However, I agree that Athens is also a good example, with the proviso that the American South is, or at any rate was, much more similar to Sparta. Pre-20th century America was an expansionist tellurocracy with a value structure to match; this was defeated by the mercantile sea power in the North, which has proceeded to behave as rapacious revolutionary sea powers have often behaved. The tension between American patriots and cosmopolitan cynics is largely a result of the latter subverting and redirecting the cultural instincts of the former towards their own ends.
Incidentally, another similarity is that the Athenians of the Peloponnesian age were extremely interested in exporting democracy, which was simultaneously a moralizing mission with nearly religious overtones, and a useful political tool that they used to establish control over lesser powers. The Spartans, by contrast, had no interest in exporting their political system, and came to oppose Athens as first among a coalition of cities and nations that just wanted to be left alone.
In the 21st century, I suppose Russia is the closest thing to Sparta, having emerged as leader of those peoples who just want to be left alone by the tiresome, self-righteous empire. China seems like it might be analogous to Sicily.
A good piece and I am in broad agreement. However, I have two reservations.
Firstly, the rhetoric of contrasting real Americans with globalists is misleading. The imperium governed from Washington is not alien, it has its institutional and intellectual roots in the very fabric of the USA. What we are seeing is the exhaustion of the millenarian foreign policy of the Wilson Administration, which has been further developed by every successive administration since. Those administrations had the support of vast numbers of Americans.
Secondly, while the benefits of empire are increasingly reserved for a fraction within the elite, the masses have also benefited from the extractive character of US trade and monetary policy since the early 70s. The petrodollar and the trade deficits bought two generations of social peace. They enabled social engineering by Democrats and Republicans alike.
What we are witnessing is a truly systemic crisis on par with the disintegration of the USSR. By definition responsibility cannot be apportioned exclusively to a corrupt elite or a pack of rogues and misfits in politics.
It would be very interesting to see a poll of genuinely patriotic Americans as to which side of the Ukraine/Russian conflict they want to see win. I think I know the answer.
Very good post. I was thinking the other day how the style of diplomacy of the GAE is very similar to France under Napoleon. Use deceit an intrigue as the primary weapons and backstab your supposed allies as soon as its beneficial to your interests. The fatal flaw of Napoleon, as man, proved to be is inability to truly make allies in the world stage, that same defect will bring the GAE down as American power recedes.
I have to take issue with the clear distinction you draw between American interests and the interests of the American empire. While that distinction is valid in most cases, its undeniable that the characteristic of the GAE have deep roots in traditional American society. Americas foreign policy reflects this since at least Woodrow Wilson.
The basic Tennent of the GAE is that a human is nothing more than an Integer who can be molded and manipulated, by social engineering , into being more governable for the benefit of the elites. In my opinion, this idea is and always was intrinsic to the United States. That's why only there could the new deal regime have appeared.
The end of the empire (an intrinsically good thing) will require patience. A geopolitical rout has the potential for any number of problems that need to be avoided. The confused and demoralised condition of the UK and France since WW2 offers a relatively mild example of what happens when the loss of empire takes place. In the US this process is likely to be more bitter and contentious by an order of magnitude. The interwar experience of the defeated Central Powers (Germany, Austria and Hungary) is worth bearing in mind.
The US is financed by its allies/trading partners through the bond market. Any retreat that is not accomplished very carefully will precipitate an unprecedented financial disaster, with attendant consequences for social cohesion. Furthermore, an America that is less exposed to global trade and financial flows will have to supply more of its own needs. This requires a thorough restructuring of the US domestic economy. All of which will come at a cost.
You really struck gold with this, TC. Would fit nicely in my "How Things Work" "Natural Law" and "Unified Theory" categories. I'd be proud if you'd allow me to post it alongside other essays. The sort of analysis that will be beneficial 50 yrs from now as well as this week.
Speaking from the genuine heart of Australia, in the Top End of the Northern Territory, this is all so simple.
First, terminate all politicians, CIA agents, investment bankers, and White House personnel, including that strange and demented impersonator you call Joe Biden. Then declare a democracy, as defined by Abraham Lincoln. That's it. Nothing more is needed. But wait. Kill Rupert Murdoch.
Then we can dismantle your Five Eyes and your several satellite spy thingamies, send your CIA and marine companies back home, and revert to our former roles of competing for honours in yachting, rock and blues music, and movie making.
Young patriotic White men should be joining or creating local militias, not enlisting in the Globohomo military. Such militia service is much less likely to generate the suicide problem we see with veterans of the Empire.
Another good historical analogy for the GAE is the Carthaginian empire, a thalassocracy that practiced ritual child sacrifice. However, I agree that Athens is also a good example, with the proviso that the American South is, or at any rate was, much more similar to Sparta. Pre-20th century America was an expansionist tellurocracy with a value structure to match; this was defeated by the mercantile sea power in the North, which has proceeded to behave as rapacious revolutionary sea powers have often behaved. The tension between American patriots and cosmopolitan cynics is largely a result of the latter subverting and redirecting the cultural instincts of the former towards their own ends.
Incidentally, another similarity is that the Athenians of the Peloponnesian age were extremely interested in exporting democracy, which was simultaneously a moralizing mission with nearly religious overtones, and a useful political tool that they used to establish control over lesser powers. The Spartans, by contrast, had no interest in exporting their political system, and came to oppose Athens as first among a coalition of cities and nations that just wanted to be left alone.
In the 21st century, I suppose Russia is the closest thing to Sparta, having emerged as leader of those peoples who just want to be left alone by the tiresome, self-righteous empire. China seems like it might be analogous to Sicily.
How can I get in contact with you?
A good piece and I am in broad agreement. However, I have two reservations.
Firstly, the rhetoric of contrasting real Americans with globalists is misleading. The imperium governed from Washington is not alien, it has its institutional and intellectual roots in the very fabric of the USA. What we are seeing is the exhaustion of the millenarian foreign policy of the Wilson Administration, which has been further developed by every successive administration since. Those administrations had the support of vast numbers of Americans.
Secondly, while the benefits of empire are increasingly reserved for a fraction within the elite, the masses have also benefited from the extractive character of US trade and monetary policy since the early 70s. The petrodollar and the trade deficits bought two generations of social peace. They enabled social engineering by Democrats and Republicans alike.
What we are witnessing is a truly systemic crisis on par with the disintegration of the USSR. By definition responsibility cannot be apportioned exclusively to a corrupt elite or a pack of rogues and misfits in politics.
It would be very interesting to see a poll of genuinely patriotic Americans as to which side of the Ukraine/Russian conflict they want to see win. I think I know the answer.
Very good post. I was thinking the other day how the style of diplomacy of the GAE is very similar to France under Napoleon. Use deceit an intrigue as the primary weapons and backstab your supposed allies as soon as its beneficial to your interests. The fatal flaw of Napoleon, as man, proved to be is inability to truly make allies in the world stage, that same defect will bring the GAE down as American power recedes.
I have to take issue with the clear distinction you draw between American interests and the interests of the American empire. While that distinction is valid in most cases, its undeniable that the characteristic of the GAE have deep roots in traditional American society. Americas foreign policy reflects this since at least Woodrow Wilson.
The basic Tennent of the GAE is that a human is nothing more than an Integer who can be molded and manipulated, by social engineering , into being more governable for the benefit of the elites. In my opinion, this idea is and always was intrinsic to the United States. That's why only there could the new deal regime have appeared.
The end of the empire (an intrinsically good thing) will require patience. A geopolitical rout has the potential for any number of problems that need to be avoided. The confused and demoralised condition of the UK and France since WW2 offers a relatively mild example of what happens when the loss of empire takes place. In the US this process is likely to be more bitter and contentious by an order of magnitude. The interwar experience of the defeated Central Powers (Germany, Austria and Hungary) is worth bearing in mind.
The US is financed by its allies/trading partners through the bond market. Any retreat that is not accomplished very carefully will precipitate an unprecedented financial disaster, with attendant consequences for social cohesion. Furthermore, an America that is less exposed to global trade and financial flows will have to supply more of its own needs. This requires a thorough restructuring of the US domestic economy. All of which will come at a cost.
You really struck gold with this, TC. Would fit nicely in my "How Things Work" "Natural Law" and "Unified Theory" categories. I'd be proud if you'd allow me to post it alongside other essays. The sort of analysis that will be beneficial 50 yrs from now as well as this week.
My dear American cousins...
Speaking from the genuine heart of Australia, in the Top End of the Northern Territory, this is all so simple.
First, terminate all politicians, CIA agents, investment bankers, and White House personnel, including that strange and demented impersonator you call Joe Biden. Then declare a democracy, as defined by Abraham Lincoln. That's it. Nothing more is needed. But wait. Kill Rupert Murdoch.
Then we can dismantle your Five Eyes and your several satellite spy thingamies, send your CIA and marine companies back home, and revert to our former roles of competing for honours in yachting, rock and blues music, and movie making.
We were so happy in those days.