Curtis Yarvin, an influential American blogger and author known for his neoreactionary views, argues that modern democracy is a flawed experiment. He advocates for a return to accountable monarchy, likening it to corporate governance. Discussing the evolution of political ideologies, he connects historical communism to present-day progressivism. Yarvin also critiques the perils of censorship and ideological control, drawing parallels between past authoritarian regimes and today’s media landscape, while considering the impact of technology on labor and state power.
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Monarchy Advocacy
Curtis Yarvin's vision is to break free from 20th-century revolutionary thinking.
He advocates for absolute but accountable monarchy, questioning the effectiveness of modern democracy.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Governance Comparison
Yarvin compares Western intervention in Afghanistan to Chinese governance in Xinjiang.
He questions whether Western-style governance is suitable for non-Western cultures.
insights INSIGHT
Unlimited Government
Yarvin argues that all governments possess unlimited power.
He uses the example of satirical tweets leading to arrests, highlighting the erosion of free speech principles.
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Hans-Hermann Hoppe's "Democracy: The God That Failed" critiques democracy, arguing that it is inherently prone to inefficiency, corruption, and ultimately, the destruction of private property rights.
Stalin's War
A New History of World War II
Sean McMeekin
In 'Stalin's War', Sean McMeekin presents a groundbreaking reassessment of World War II by shifting the focus from Adolf Hitler to Joseph Stalin. McMeekin argues that Stalin was the central figure in the conflict, working to ensure that the war would leave his enemies exhausted and ripe for revolution. The book reveals how Soviet Communism was rescued by the self-defeating strategic moves of the US and Britain, particularly through Lend-Lease aid, which provided Stalin's war machine with substantial American matériel. This support enabled the Soviet Union to conquer much of Eurasia, from Berlin to Beijing, and set the stage for the Cold War. McMeekin's research draws on previously classified Soviet archives and challenges the traditional view of World War II as a simple struggle between good and evil[1][3][5].
The romance of American Communism
Vivian Gornick
The Language of the Third Reich
A Philologist's Notebook
Victor Klemperer
This book, originally titled 'LTI – Lingua Tertii Imperii,' examines the linguistic manipulations used by the Nazi regime to propagate their ideology. Written by Victor Klemperer, a philologist who lived through the Nazi era, the book is based on his personal notes and diary entries. It highlights how the Nazis co-opted and adapted existing words and expressions to create a language that supported their totalitarian goals, affecting both supporters and opponents of the regime. Klemperer's work also explores the broader impact of this language on German society and culture during that period[1][3][4].
The Rise of the Meritocracy
Michael Young, Baron Young of Dartington
Written in 1958, 'The Rise of the Meritocracy' is a satirical work that projects a future society in 2034 where the concept of meritocracy has led to a rigidly stratified society. The book argues that the formula 'IQ + effort = merit' has become the basis for social hierarchy, resulting in a significant gulf between the highly intelligent upper classes and the less intelligent lower classes. Young critiques the idea of meritocracy, highlighting its potential to create a society where the upper classes lack empathy for the lower classes and where social mobility is severely limited. The work is notable for its insightful and often humorous critique of the potential consequences of a meritocratic system.
Human Smoke
Nicholson Baker
School of Darkness
School of Darkness
Bella Dodd
Bella Dodd's "School of Darkness" is a compelling autobiography detailing her experiences as a high-ranking member of the Communist Party USA. Dodd's account offers a rare insider's perspective on the party's internal dynamics, its strategies, and its ideological struggles. She describes the party's purges, its manipulation of individuals, and the intense pressure to conform. The book provides valuable insights into the workings of the American communist movement and the personal costs of political commitment. Dodd's later renunciation of communism adds another layer of complexity to her narrative.
Curtis Yarvin, also known by the pen name Mencius Moldbug, is an American blogger. He is known, along with philosopher Nick Land, for founding the anti-egalitarian and anti-democratic philosophical movement known as the Dark Enlightenment or neoreactionary movement (NRx). He argues that American democracy is a failed experiment which should be replaced by an accountable monarchy, similar to the governance structure of corporations.
Stand-up comedians Konstantin Kisin (@konstantinkisin) and Francis Foster (@francisjfoster) make sense of politics, economics, free speech, AI, drug policy and WW3 with the help of presidential advisors, renowned economists, award-winning journalists, controversial writers, leading scientists and notorious comedians.
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