Last summer I read the phenomenal study The Civilizing Process by the eminent sociologist Norbert Elias.[1] some of his findings can be applied to understand the rise of authoritarianism in the West as embodied in the political career of President Trump. This article will present some of the theoretical underpinnings of Elias’ work, then … Continue reading “On Trump: Elias, Civilization and Trump”
Tag: Politics
On Trump: The Splitting of the Libertarian Movement
It looks to me that the libertarian movement, like the GOP and the Tea Party, is falling apart over the Trump phenomenon. One faction sees Trump as someone who is ignorant of, even a danger to, libertarian and constitutional principles and therefore should not be followed, while another faction thinks Trump will restore a coveted … Continue reading “On Trump: The Splitting of the Libertarian Movement”
On Trump: Diagnosing 301.81 and the Goldwater Rule
During the 2015/16 US presidential primaries consensus emerged among health professionals [1], knowledgeable journalists [2,3,4] and those engaged in amateur diagnoses [5] that the psychological profile of then presidential candidate Donald Trump hovered somewhere between having a (curable) narcissist character trait of a malignant kind and suffering from (irreversible) Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Making such … Continue reading “On Trump: Diagnosing 301.81 and the Goldwater Rule”
On Trump: Intolerance and Authoritarianism
To make some sense of the chaos in the Republican Party during the primaries and to partially answer the question why conservatives are flocking to Trump to the extent that he won the 2016 US general election, the following: Political scientist and expert on political authoritarianism Karen Stenner sees three different kinds of conservatism which … Continue reading “On Trump: Intolerance and Authoritarianism”
On Trump: Trump Positively Mentions Arch-elitist Richard Haass. Why?
In March 2016 Trump mentioned Council on Foreign Relations president Richard Haass as an “excellent” foreign policy adviser.[1] This created some consternation in some libertarian and conspiricist conservative circles. What is the big deal here? Why would Trump name the quintessential establishment figure Haass as an excellent (potential) adviser on foreign policy? He probably knows … Continue reading “On Trump: Trump Positively Mentions Arch-elitist Richard Haass. Why?”
Environmental Virtue Ethics–Review
Environmental Virtue Ethics Philip Cafaro and Ronald D. Sandler (editors) Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2004. Print. A Review-essay by Josef Mathews “No Man is an Island,” writes poet John Donne. The idea contained in those words is a profound and timeless truth. It refers to the sea of connections that bind human beings. Environmental … Continue reading “Environmental Virtue Ethics–Review”
TPP: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
By Nick Egnatz. The TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) is a treaty between the U.S. and 11 other Pacific Rim nations. Together with the TTIP (Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) between the U.S. and the European Union countries and TiSA (Trade in Services Agreement) between the U.S. and 49 other nations, the three treaties represent what … Continue reading “TPP: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”
News from Switzerland on Money Reform
Our sister organization in Switzerland, MoMo (Monetary Modernization) and its action arm Vollgeld Initiative (Sovereign Money Initiative), have just passed the 100,000 mark in collecting signatures to trigger a referendum on the Swiss money system. They started their drive in the spring of 2014 and had 18 months time to get the required amount … Continue reading “News from Switzerland on Money Reform”
The Controlled Demolition of WTC 1, 2, 7 and of its Official Explanation
In less time than the duration between American Airline Flight 11 crashing into World Trade Center One on September 11, 2001, and its total collapse 102 minutes later, one can experience the controlled demolition of the official version presented by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of how the collapse allegedly happened through … Continue reading “The Controlled Demolition of WTC 1, 2, 7 and of its Official Explanation”
Hearing on Monetary Reform in Holland
The October 14, 2015 hearing at the finance commission of the Dutch parliament regarding monetary reform was a milestone for the Dutch and international movement. The 140 minute long hearing can be watched on-line and will soon be provided with English subtitles [1]. This momentous event was triggered by a citizens’ initiative by the Dutch monetary … Continue reading “Hearing on Monetary Reform in Holland”