This conversation reminds me of this:
The distinction between the "Left" and the "Right" right in global politics today is increasingly redundant. The dialectic has given rise to and been superceded by a new dialectic: Pro-Western vs. Anti-Western.
As this new paradigm has arisen, it has become apparent that the Pro-Western factions (or
The Goodies, if you will) believe in free markets, the welfare state and liberal democracy, while the Anti-Western movements (let us say,
The Baddies) put their faith in sociopathic hatred, mindless violence and psychotic outbursts of bloodcurdling horror.
To appreciate the magnitude of this tectonic upheaval in global politics, one must look back to the dominant political consensus of the Cold War era, when Left and Right moved in two distinct orbits but could put aside their differences and come together in the interests of liberal democracy if so required.
The Cold War Spectrum
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, political thought has bashed itself inside out and disappeared up its own fundamentals, and now a coalition of Blairites, former Cold War liberals and Neoconservatives (or
Us, if that would be easier) find themselves on the frontlines of a battle for the democratic future of the human species.
A significant portion of the former "Left", however, found itself with no outlet for their anti-democratic impulses, and soon found willing partners in fascist, anti-democratic movements. This motley crew of Islamists, Stalinists and nasty Tories (
Them seems apt) squat at the opposite end of the new political spectrum, where their ferocious hatred burns remorseless in the eternal night of their fat, black totalitarian hearts.
The Modern Political Landscape
At first glance, this political labyrinth is a minefield of pitfalls and mantraps, but with the correct ideological maps, torches and crampons it is possible to safely navigate its swift, often treacherous waters.
What cleaves the mere Pro-Western left (
Our political allies, if you will) from Muscular Liberalism (
Me and my mates) who stand steadfast in the face of this looming menace is the willingness to intervene militarily to protect our values. This "Bright line" neatly demarcates the Muscular Liberal from the merely tepid Pro-Westerner in the new political landscape, and is depicted on the right.
It is only when all of these elements are combined that we can begin to make sense of the threat we face, and the proper position of
Decency in this era-defining existential struggle for humanity.
The Muscular Liberal In a Post-Left World
I think it is clear where the Muscular Liberal stands in this fight - proud, upright and unafraid to raise his head, spit in the eye of the enemy and say
I will not be beaten, sucked in or jerked around by Fascists!
Our faith in liberal democracy is a mighty weapon, and we must use it to draw a line in the sand against anti-liberal religious chauvanists. The hand of fate has fallen into our laps, and we refuse to spend the Greatest Intellectual Struggle of Our Time tucked out of sight or stuck in the rear.
Thank you for your time.
http://decentpedia.blogspot.ie/2008_03_01_archive.html
(A parody on this -
https://greatersurbiton.wordpress.c...eft-vs-right-but-pro-western-vs-anti-western/)
