Author and podcast host Auron MacIntyre joins Michael Malice to discuss his book 'The Total State', the influence of myths on people's faith in government, and the importance of surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals. They also touch on the erosion of democracy, abuse of power, and the deterioration of classical liberalism in society.
The erosion of social institutions has shifted power to the state, centralizing control.
Managerial regimes manipulate different ideologies to justify centralized power structures.
Liberal democracies morph into tyrannies by undermining power separation and utilizing societal divisions.
Deep dives
Impact of Social Institutions on State Power
The erosion of social institutions like families, religious organizations, and workers' guilds has led to a concentration of power within the state. The absence of intermediary structures that once promoted societal cohesion has shifted responsibilities to the government, enabling it to exert extensive control.
Managerial Regimes and Centralization of Power
The podcast delves into the concept of managerial regimes, suggesting that various political systems, including communism, fascism, and liberal democracy, are all mechanisms to justify centralizing power. It questions the prevailing belief that socialism inevitably leads to communism, highlighting how modern governments have centralized power through different ideological frameworks.
Transformation from Liberal Democracy to Tyranny
The transformation of a liberal democracy into tyranny involves techniques such as undermining the separation of powers and centralization of authority, as well as utilizing societal divisions for control. By deconstructing traditional power structures and enhancing state influence, liberal democracies are susceptible to evolving into tyrannical systems.
Mass Democracy and Oligarchy Control
The podcast delves into the expansion of the franchise to non-citizens and the impact of mass democracy on various branches of government. It discusses how controlling popular sovereignty allows ruling classes to influence voting outcomes and public opinion through mass communication and education. The concept of the Overton window is highlighted to emphasize the limited spectrum within which political discussions occur.
Challenges to Democracy and Questioning Legitimacy
The episode explores the erosion of trust in democratic processes, citing historical instances where election legitimacy was challenged. It discusses how the manipulation of governing institutions, media, and academia can influence public opinion and decision-making. The conversation touches on the potential dangers of increasing skepticism towards democratic norms and the implications for future political landscapes.
Michael Malice (“YOUR WELCOME”) is joined by author and podcast host, Auron MacIntyre, to talk about his brand-new book, The Total State, why myths have a very strong influence on people’s faith in government, and how humans inherently need to surround ourselves with those that share a similar world view.
Michael also shares the one book he thinks everyone interested in politics should read.
