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Politics and Destruction

Cheeky Bastard's picture




The history of mankind is dominated by politics. Since the early gathering communities until the present postmodern political environment. All great historical events can be traced back to a series of political decisions, which were either done by the ruling political option or its opposition. While the theoretical view on politics has changed for the past 5000 years, the object of political studies remains the same. The main purpose of this short article is to present the underlying realities of that what is considered political, and also to give a critique of the present state and define its anomalies and irregularities.

Since the beginning of the recent economic crisis many have offered their list of reasons which contributed to the present situation. While the number of those, who say the main culprit can be found in the sphere of financial misconduct and the lack of any risk management, is equal to the number of those who advocate that the main and underlying reason of the recent economic destruction is among those who rule us; we can not disregard the option which clearly states that a combined effort in breaking the regulatory financial framework was due to the efforts of both spheres.

While I do not take sides with the Randian advocates who preach the total separation of Politics and the Economy, i somewhat agree with them that a clear distinction, among what is the domain of Politics and what is the domain of the Economy, needs to be drawn. And I do not state so just to offer some relatively new approach to the whole matter, but as the most pragmatic and utilitarian mean to insure the future sustainability of, both, the Economy and Politics. Now the question arises about the current political-economic environment; has the Economy captured Politics, or has Politics captured the Economy. A good, and well balanced article on that matter was posted here on ZeroHedge, by non other, than our very own Marla Singer. 

Allow me to draw a reference of the present political-economic environment with a basic mathematical notion. I do not like when social phenomena is look upon trough the eyes of mathematical laws, and mathematical structures, like many economic schools do, but i find this reference well suited for the point i am trying to make. Lets, for one moment, perform a little thought experiment and look at the Economy and Politics as two sets of values, programs, beliefs and paradigms. If we were to take the whole matter of our little experiment even further we could easily say that the relations between two sets is that they intersect but do not join. While some set elements can belong to both Politics and the Economy, not all set elements belong to both the Economy and Politics. When the two structures are observed that way it is easily seen that the natural state (if there exists one, and if its not only an abstraction) of the relations between Politics and the Economy is somewhat defined as the intersection of their values, programs, beliefs and paradigms. Also, the orthodox teachings of Ayn Rand concerning this subject will not, in any way, facilitate the long term sustainability of both structures.

The question of why is that so is not easy to answer without taking into regards some basic philosophic teachings on the natural condition of human kind. If the system is to be structured such that the Economy becomes independent of Politics, and Politics becomes independent the Economy we need to rest assured that the underlying nature of the human factor is rational. Modern Game Theory accepts that the underlying nature of the human factor is rational, and thus builds it program around that belief. But if we were to examine the path which those who advocate the usage of Game Theory took to come to such a conclusion, we would find some troublesome argumentation techniques. So for example, the main argumentation structure which defends the rational nature of the human factor is historical observation. Meaning, the arguments in favor of Game Theory are drawn in a Hegelian nature by observing historical phenomena and ascribing to them the rational conditions. But such an obvious fallacy can easily be refuted by offering a contra-argument in the form of point out all the monstrosities which were done throughout the history of mankind. While we did not take our argumentative grounds any further from historicism we have defeated the pro-rational argumentation using its own methods. Much was discussed on this topic throughout the 20th century by such established figures as Karl Popper and Jurgen Habermas. Therefore I will not spend much more time on this. If you want to read the material concerning the topic briefly discussed in this paragraph you can find the necessary literature on the web.

As you can see for yourself the word contained in the title of this article is Destruction. You have seen the social and the economic destruction in the past two years, and various other types of destruction which have followed the rise of the Man as the measure of all things. While the span of consequences brought on us by our political and economic leaders is global, it was not so in the past. One only needs to look back 200 years and observe the political-economic state in Europe,in the second part of 1700s. That era is marked by the large speculation in the companies which were called South Sea Company, Mississippi Company. The formation and subsequent speculation was done under the regulative of the royal cast which was then a predominant form of ruling cast. Subsequent crash and depletion of the royal treasuries of France, the UK and Netherlands was one one the main reasons of the subsequent late 18th century and early 19th century European Revolutions.

The following question is also important to be asked; from where or from whom is the power granted to those who rule. While there doesn't exist only one answer to those questions, some generalized categories can be formulated. From the beginnings of political structuring up until the French and the American revolution, a belief was strongly held that the "Power to Rule" is granted to the ruler by God. Such metaphysical explanation of the "Power to Rule" automatically gave to those who ruled the option to justify their deeds and policies upon the notion of Gods existence. As the living conditions of the general populace were becoming unbearable due to the autocratic form of governance; opposite political options emerged and captured the Zeitgeist of those who have suffered. The subsequent results of such emerging oppositions are secularization of The Church and The State, democratic process, social benefits etc. 

As we are getting closer to the end of this article we find that it is important to analyze the current trends which we are witnessing. One of those trends is the process of globalization, which has its roots in two philosophical doctrines. The first philosophical doctrine which strongly influenced globalization is the political philosophy of a German philosopher by the name of Immanuel Kant. Immanuel Kant presented us with this political doctrine in his political essay which is titled "Perpetual Peace". I do not wish to go into dept in exposing this doctrine, but a belief in a global governance body, as well as in global institutions streams directly from the political teachings if Immanuel Kant. The second doctrine, with which you might be more familiar with, is relatively new. The doctrine of "Open Society" first exhibited in the political writings of the German philosopher Karl Popper. In his "Open Society" doctrine Popper proposes a geo-political system of national unification. You can witness such a system today by observing the main paradigmatic doctrines of the European Union. Of course the supra-national structure does not have to be confined just to the realm of the Political, but can, and is, spread among those who propose a global financial unification. Popper also proposes that all geographical borders need to disappear in order to facilitate the spatial population dynamics. While, by itself, that view is not orthodox in any way it necessitates that the sovereignty of nations needs to be sacrificed, all legal and economical systems, no matter how culturally and historically they may be different, be subdued to the idea of unity and general equality.

In conclusion, it is easily to predict the future trends in both the Sphere of the Political and the Sphere of the Economy. While the opposition to those kinds of movements grows more stronger each passing day, all sides of the political sphere stand united in supporting and working in favor of the program described in this article. The belief that sovereignty is the main culprit in the history of warfare and that cultural differences are not beneficial for Peace, both the Political and the Economic structures will work hard in unifying the Globe under one umbrella of Artificial Identity. While I personally do not believe that their motives are in any way pointed towards benefiting the general populace, but are pointed towards their own personal benefit and strengthening the power grip which they hold. 

It will come as no surprise if we see a global currency in the next 5 years, or a formation of political and economic unions which will mirror the European Union. With strong social programs and centralized form of governing, dominated by global institutions with their programs the world will stand ideologically united. But as we know no human or any action can stop the flow of history, or change the underlying inner dynamics of that what we perceive as historical. It can only dress it in the the cloth of artificiality and sustain it as long as possible. But as we know; on a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone, and anything, drops to zero.

 

Thank you for reading.




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Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:51 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 13:59 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 16:24 | Link to Comment heatbarrier
heatbarrier's picture

We ain't seen nothing yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDYCf4ONh5M

Fri, 11/06/2009 - 11:50 | Link to Comment bob resurrected
bob resurrected's picture

How resilient do you suppose "the one" internet will be after a solar storm CME such as in 1859, 1921 or 1989? What happens to information societies if their co-dependent partner, "the one" internet, fails for a day, a month a year?

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 13:37 | Link to Comment bob resurrected
bob resurrected's picture

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I am afraid you are correct. Politics lead to destruction because as in all human institutions it brings social asymmetry.

Social asymmetry is not simply theoretically chaotic. When we amass, or centralize, authority and/or resources (gravitational influence) we become more vulnerable to physical annihilation. Centralization breeds specialization of function, glorifying economies of scale and discounting risks of scale. It is myopic. It brings a gravy train of prosperity at the expense of dependency on an asymmetric system. It is asymmetric because it is one unit, one world, one system. If one part of the system fails we all are doomed. The more units and the broader based the skill set of those units, the more symmetrical a society. A symmetrical society is limited in scope but indestructible. If one third of the world is wiped out by catastrophe in an asymmetric society, the other two thirds would soon follow. If one third of the world is wiped out by catastrophe in a symmetric society, the other two thirds would be unaffected. We would do well to pursue symmetry.

But...we won't. We will pursue the trajectory you have described.

 

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 12:44 | Link to Comment Gwynplaine (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 11:19 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 10:21 | Link to Comment waterdog
waterdog's picture

Practice makes perfect Cheeky. Most everyone understands why Nature only allows human beings to live to be an average of 76 years olds.

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 12:10 | Link to Comment tip e. canoe
tip e. canoe's picture

good point...maybe corporations should have a similar lifespan?

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 10:14 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 09:37 | Link to Comment snowman
snowman's picture

Coke and HSBC and the bond market are already hard at work unifying the globe. The pols are clueless - along for the ride from their one-dimensional viewing platform.

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 09:34 | Link to Comment Rollerball
Rollerball's picture

Capitalism is economic neo-Darwinism.  It's judgments are amoral.  The moral (political) balance is corrupted (owned) by the self-appointed scale (share) master(s).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOA4ixV-3jU

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 08:45 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 06:33 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 06:29 | Link to Comment brodix
brodix's picture

First off, to quibble with the motto of this site, it's not that the survival rate for everyone and everything drops to zeo, because that would include whatever rises to replace it. It's that the survival rate for anyone and anything drops to zero. Energy is neither gained or lost, it merely changes form. The question is predicting what form it will take. 

 A few issues with our basic philosophical underpinnings: The problem with the monotheistic paradigm is that the absolute, the universal state, is basis, not apex. So anything resembling a universal source would be the essence from which we rise, not an ideal from which we fell. Monotheism is an idealization of patriarchy and the reality of patriarchy is that each generation grows old, dies and is replaced by the next. The king is dead, Long live the king. Also keep in mind that it was the polytheists who developed democracy, because they did not subsume all their tribal deities into one, but developed a pantheon in which processes of compromise were necessary. In physical terms, order and structure degrade, while energy expands, either by adding to and growing existing order, or breaking down and radiating away from decaying order.

 The primary medium of social and economic connection in a mass society is the currency.  It is a medium of exchange and store of value. These work at cross purposes, because as medium, it is a utility and as store, it is property. In effect it belongs to whomever guarantees its value and is loaned to everyone else. Our current problem is that it is now publicly guaranteed, but privately managed. This is the basis of the socialization of risk and the privatization of reward. If we are going to have a publicly guaranteed currency, then we have to develop a public banking system. This should be formulated as a bottom up model for it to be stable. That means a system of broad local banking which seeds it profits back into the communities which create the wealth. These institutions then serve as shareholders in a regional banking system to support regional economies of scale. This level of institution would then be the board for a national bank that would be responsible for the currency. 

 If people understand currency is a form of public utility and therefore amounts to public wealth, they would be far more reluctant to drain value out of communal and environmental resources, thus slowing the rate of growth and making it more sustainable and stable, especially with a healthy local base.

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 09:27 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 13:32 | Link to Comment brodix
brodix's picture

True that, but if we understand our conflicts as one of subjective needs and not assign absolute values to them, we are far more likely to develop workable compromises, rather than destroy far more than necessary in a conflict over what are often hubristic assumptions of absolute values.

 Growth is bottom up, while structure has to have some top down centralizing principle. The obvious examples are that North Korea is the most structured society and Somalia is the least structured society. There needs to be some balance, or we have no economy to speak of.

 today the world's economy seems like a huge old oak that is quite fertile, but is rotten in the center. It is going to fall over, but the acorns are healthy.

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 01:46 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 01:15 | Link to Comment TumblingDice
TumblingDice's picture

The power to rule comes from weapons. Divine Mandate was another word for the ability to decide whether you live or die. This hasn't changed much. Now we just justify giving this power to certain people by pretending to agree on it.

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 01:06 | Link to Comment loup garou
loup garou's picture

Creepy Bastard,

Apparently, the “educational standards”  for obnoxious Canadian pseudo-intellectuals are even lower.

This is but a partial list:

…“that what is considered political”  

…“i somewhat agree…”

…“the most pragmatic and utilitarian mean

…“has the Economy captured Politics, or has Politics captured the Economy.” (?)

…“by non other, than our very own Marla Singer.

…“I do not like when social phenomena is look upon…

…”trough the eyes of mathematical laws…

…“but i find this reference well suited for the point i am trying to make.

…“and if its not only an abstraction…

…“and Politics becomes independent the Economy…

…“and thus builds it program around that belief.

…“in the form of point out…

 …”was done under the regulative of the royal cast…

…”autocratic form of governance; opposite political options…

…”I do not wish to go into dept…

…”with which you might be more familiar with…”

…“is relatively new. The doctrine …

…“In his "Open Society" doctrine Popper proposes…

…”it is easily to predict the future trends…

…“grows more stronger…

…“The belief that sovereignty is the main culprit in the history of warfare and that cultural differences are not beneficial for Peace, both the Political and the Economic structures will work hard in unifying the Globe under one umbrella of Artificial Identity.

…“But as we know no human…

…“that what we perceive as historical…

Get a proof-reader, kid; or better still, get an education. This superfluous, pedantic pablum belongs on a men’s room wall.

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 06:52 | Link to Comment Jendrzejczyk
Jendrzejczyk's picture

Dear Wolfy,

Does Loup Garou=French for "pedantic"? 

Loosen your tighty whities a little Monsieur Bouillorre.

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 00:39 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 17:57 | Link to Comment Hephasteus
Hephasteus's picture

Control freaks. They're EVERYWHERE!!

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 00:31 | Link to Comment tip e. canoe
tip e. canoe's picture

"While the theoretical view on politics has changed for the past 5000 years, the object of political studies remains the same."

funny...that's about as long as the mayan calendar.
bukowski quote from last week continues to resonate.

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 00:26 | Link to Comment eswan
eswan's picture

What if the participants in this forum simply decided that active participation includes a commitment to maintain an impartial and rigorus search for truth without antagonism or rancor?

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 01:09 | Link to Comment TumblingDice
TumblingDice's picture

Yea, fuck off asshole.

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 00:47 | Link to Comment Cistercian
Cistercian's picture

 I agree.I am interested in getting to the truth.Arguing without caring about getting to the truth with an eye merely on "winning" is, in my experience, the sport of boors.

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 00:32 | Link to Comment DrPsycho
DrPsycho's picture

whut kinda fun is dat ?

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 23:35 | Link to Comment Cistercian
Cistercian's picture

 Hmm.I suspect the truth of where we are going is simple.The current circus maximus deludes and debauches the participants while robbing them blind.It also runs ever higher numbers into abject poverty and famine worldwide.This is simply due to greed and power lust.In America, money=power and these two things combined have become our god.It is what we worship, aspire to and adore.If we have to reduce the rest of the planet to a ghetto, that is ok.And this in large measure explains our foreign policy.There is currently real pressure to create a world super state.It would make our depredations look pleasant by comparison for one reason....so much power will corrupt so much more.

 

 It really is this simple:Greed and Power are dehumanizing....and if this path continues, it will end very badly.

 

 I liked the article Cheeky.I approach the subject from a different paradigm, however.

I hope some communication into the paradigm you are in is possible, as much as Kuhn would say it isn't.

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 23:20 | Link to Comment SV
SV's picture

CB - I appreciate the effort you put into this even though I get to a similar conclusion about the current state of affairs through an entirely different construct. Kudos! 

On a couple levels, I've never really been much of a fan of Deontological school of thought.  First, I have a question for you: Do you think that people, such as Adam Weishaupt, were an influencing factor on Popper verses Kant in terms of suggesting "princes and nations shall vanish from the earth"? 

Secondly, I like the whole analogy put forth in terms of Set Notation.  I do a lot of work in OLAP structures, specifically with time sequencing.  The interaction of those two subsets (Economy and Politics) to me is a f(t).  I tend to think their interaction over time in the form of a helix, where different positions along the timeline are represented by something like the notation used in The Fate of Empires. In terms of a cycle, we as a country are on the end of the Age of Decadence. The move towards Globalism is purely an opportunistic play by the Weishaupt's of the world.

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 22:58 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 23:37 | Link to Comment SV
SV's picture

Evince: To show or demonstrate clearly

If it truly evinces sophomoric levels, maybe you can do the honor of eviscerating it for the retards here...

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 23:25 | Link to Comment DaveyJones
DaveyJones's picture

The impressive detail and maturity of your reply proves your rank

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 23:27 | Link to Comment Cheeky Bastard
Cheeky Bastard's picture

examples please.

oh, wait, did you mean sub-college level of understanding by american educational standards. then ok .... thank you for the compliment ...

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 00:30 | Link to Comment DrPsycho
DrPsycho's picture

I think that Anon was Bernanke.......tone sounds familiar.......

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 22:31 | Link to Comment Ich bin ein whatever
Ich bin ein whatever's picture

Very excellent article Cheeky!

I agree that the internet does not allow for the physical movement of individuals or goods.  But what it does allow is the movement and formation of ideas.  Some of the ideas are good.  Some are lousy.  But the internet can (and will) be used by both sides to send messages (and plans) cryptically in a crisis situation.

 

It will come as no surprise if we see a global currency in the next 5 years, or a formation of political and economic unions which will mirror the European Union. With strong social programs and centralized form of governing, dominated by global institutions with their programs the world will stand ideologically united. But as we know no human or any action can stop the flow of history, or change the underlying inner dynamics of that what we perceive as historical. It can only dress it in the the cloth of artificiality and sustain it as long as possible. But as we know; on a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone, and anything, drops to zero.

 

I believe that this is where this whole thing is headed.  The whole challenge for the powers that be is are they going to be able to lead us along peacefully, or will "we, the people" wake up at some point and go against them.

That's where places like the internet, and the free-flowing exchange of ideas come in useful.

Of course, you have to have a very powerful filter, to seperate the wheat from the chaff.  There's a lot of crap to filter through on the internet.  ;)

Anyway, thanks Cheeky, for an interesting article.

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 21:56 | Link to Comment gookempucky
gookempucky's picture

Shades of the Federation Captain---I always knew star trek was ahead of its time---nice piece CB.

Live long and prosper

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 21:15 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 21:04 | Link to Comment Rainman
Rainman's picture

Let us not forget the growth of the Islamic population quietly overtaking the base population sustainability of so-called Free World countries. This factor by itself will radically change governance and soveriegnty models globally.  It's just a matter of time.

Then the really, really thorny issue becomes global currency. I believe an expanded continental currency standard......a NOLLAR for North America, for example.......would sedgeway more easily into global currency options.

Anyway,CB, this was a thought provoking read. Thanks. 

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 22:00 | Link to Comment Cheeky Bastard
Cheeky Bastard's picture

soon my friend will i do an article on that ... this i just one in the series of the articles which touch the topics which are not exclusively financially related ...

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 22:43 | Link to Comment Rainman
Rainman's picture

I'll look forward to it. And please try to touch on the Fabian Socialist crusade, which has not abated in 130 years. It's mandates are precisely linked to the British and USA initiatives we are witnessing today. A globalist and populist US administration is perfect soil for the cultivation of Fabius ideologies. No insurrection necessary or desireable. Just sneaking right on in under the fold of the tent. 

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 20:37 | Link to Comment Lothar the Rott...
Lothar the Rottweiler's picture

Cheeky I have got to read this another five times before it sinks in and/or I can even begin to comprehend it at more than base levels.

To all the ZH crew and contributors: thank you.

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 20:26 | Link to Comment loup garou
loup garou's picture

Written by an Australian, quite a few years ago:

http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/bb970219.htm

“The principal devices used to control the dialectic process in the past two decades have been (a) information, (b) debt and (c) technology.”

“The faster the cattle run, the faster the treadmill takes them to nowhere.”

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 20:18 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 20:52 | Link to Comment Cheeky Bastard
Cheeky Bastard's picture

yes, except it is far more complicated and not conspiratorial  like shit ... its called a historical process and Horkheimer and Adorno described it pretty well ... read it ...

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 20:05 | Link to Comment anynonmous
anynonmous's picture

Thanks CB for your contributions

off topic

a good idea to keep an eye on developments in Ukraine

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/11040902/Ukraine_Double.html

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 19:42 | Link to Comment delacroix
delacroix's picture

take our money, take our freedoms, we complain, we blog, we adjust our lifestyles. but take away our internet, and its time to get out the guns

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 05:28 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 19:41 | Link to Comment Anonymous
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 20:53 | Link to Comment JohnKing
JohnKing's picture

I've thought for a long time that China will go aggressive for the most basic of reasons: they need wives. I think the clock is ticking on that bomb. No jobs, no women, what's a country to do?

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