James Madison anticipates Marx in Federalist 10: “Theoretic politicians, who have patronized this species of government, have erroneously supposed that by reducing mankind to a perfect equality in their political rights, they would, at the same time, be perfectly equalized and assimilated in their possessions, their opinions, and their p…
James Madison anticipates Marx in Federalist 10: “Theoretic politicians, who have patronized this species of government, have erroneously supposed that by reducing mankind to a perfect equality in their political rights, they would, at the same time, be perfectly equalized and assimilated in their possessions, their opinions, and their passions.”
Earlier, he makes profound points concerning the realities of human nature: “The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government. From the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results; and from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors, ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties.
“The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man...”
This is where Marx and Lenin lack wisdom. They think that human nature can be processed into their mold, and all will be well when all are equal. They fail to see, or perhaps are loathe to admit, that man’s quest for freedom cannot be dismissed by systems of control. Look at the automatons in North Korea, screaming their approval for their wonderful leader. Ditto the puppets in China, clapping in sync at the Party Congress, with Xi taking it all in. What is the reality in these peoples’ souls?
We are all different. Some are blessed with a high intellect. Others are disciplined and work hard. Others are lazy, content for their neighbors to carry the load of initiative or industry. Is it right, does it meet the demands of justice, for all to be rewarded equally? Madison says “No.” I agree. Furthermore, this system of control must be administered by administrators: the few with the power controlling the many without. That idea might fly in Europe, perhaps even in Scotland, but it doesn’t fly in Texas. And who knows, maybe there were some poor folk at the opera yesterday, there by a gift from someone who was able to share their bounty with someone less fortunate. It would have been a Christian thing to do, and no one else would been the wiser.
“Here is a country that fought and won a noble war, dismantled a mighty empire in a generally benign and enlightened way, created a far-seeing welfare state — in short, did nearly everything right ― and then spent the rest of the century looking on itself as a chronic failure. The fact is that this is still the best place in the world for most things ― to post a letter, go for a walk, watch television, buy a book, venture out for a drink, go to a museum, use the bank, get lost, seek help or stand on a hillside and take in a view.” Bill Bryson in Notes on a Small Island
James Madison anticipates Marx in Federalist 10: “Theoretic politicians, who have patronized this species of government, have erroneously supposed that by reducing mankind to a perfect equality in their political rights, they would, at the same time, be perfectly equalized and assimilated in their possessions, their opinions, and their passions.”
Earlier, he makes profound points concerning the realities of human nature: “The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government. From the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results; and from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors, ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties.
“The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man...”
This is where Marx and Lenin lack wisdom. They think that human nature can be processed into their mold, and all will be well when all are equal. They fail to see, or perhaps are loathe to admit, that man’s quest for freedom cannot be dismissed by systems of control. Look at the automatons in North Korea, screaming their approval for their wonderful leader. Ditto the puppets in China, clapping in sync at the Party Congress, with Xi taking it all in. What is the reality in these peoples’ souls?
We are all different. Some are blessed with a high intellect. Others are disciplined and work hard. Others are lazy, content for their neighbors to carry the load of initiative or industry. Is it right, does it meet the demands of justice, for all to be rewarded equally? Madison says “No.” I agree. Furthermore, this system of control must be administered by administrators: the few with the power controlling the many without. That idea might fly in Europe, perhaps even in Scotland, but it doesn’t fly in Texas. And who knows, maybe there were some poor folk at the opera yesterday, there by a gift from someone who was able to share their bounty with someone less fortunate. It would have been a Christian thing to do, and no one else would been the wiser.
“Here is a country that fought and won a noble war, dismantled a mighty empire in a generally benign and enlightened way, created a far-seeing welfare state — in short, did nearly everything right ― and then spent the rest of the century looking on itself as a chronic failure. The fact is that this is still the best place in the world for most things ― to post a letter, go for a walk, watch television, buy a book, venture out for a drink, go to a museum, use the bank, get lost, seek help or stand on a hillside and take in a view.” Bill Bryson in Notes on a Small Island