It is a blessedly rare event in the post-Soviet days to see a truly left-dominated country, despite its popular appeal (who doesn't love free money?) and its appeal to the intelligentsia.
But when we do see it in action, I see what I think might be a pattern of "philosophical retreat" on the part of the left as the harsh realities of their policies set in. Idealism turns way eventually towards hatred, vilification, and eventually complete denial.
Let us begin with the ideal: socialism or leftism will bring great prosperity, beyond the failed and ineffective systems of the free market.
When this fails to work: leftism will bring prosperity for the poor, but not the already-rich, rather than the alleged other-way-around of a free market.
This leads to: vilification of the rich that seemed to gain their wealth from philosophically un-approved ways. Profit is a "necessary evil" to incent the greedy to do what is right for the community.
When this fails to work: growth is unnecessary, we have already grown as much as we need. We need only redistribute what we have, for the rich have more than enough.
This leads to: vilification of the rich, period. A belief that excessive wealth is ultimately immoral and bad for the soul. Profit of any sort is vilified as exploitative.
When the economy fails further: we don't need anything beyond what's necessary to live. Prosperity is bad for the soul.
This leads to: vilification of other countries for being more prosperous. A belief that consumerism of any sort is a sign of excess, of a spiritual malaise. Poverty becomes a virtue and comfort a sin. We must rise above our material needs towards a higher purpose (the commune, or the divine).
Finally: money itself becomes evil, and leftism gives up any notion of improving economic conditions. All forms of economic activity become vilified. The sole noble good becomes self-sacrifice.
But when we do see it in action, I see what I think might be a pattern of "philosophical retreat" on the part of the left as the harsh realities of their policies set in. Idealism turns way eventually towards hatred, vilification, and eventually complete denial.
Let us begin with the ideal: socialism or leftism will bring great prosperity, beyond the failed and ineffective systems of the free market.
When this fails to work: leftism will bring prosperity for the poor, but not the already-rich, rather than the alleged other-way-around of a free market.
This leads to: vilification of the rich that seemed to gain their wealth from philosophically un-approved ways. Profit is a "necessary evil" to incent the greedy to do what is right for the community.
When this fails to work: growth is unnecessary, we have already grown as much as we need. We need only redistribute what we have, for the rich have more than enough.
This leads to: vilification of the rich, period. A belief that excessive wealth is ultimately immoral and bad for the soul. Profit of any sort is vilified as exploitative.
When the economy fails further: we don't need anything beyond what's necessary to live. Prosperity is bad for the soul.
This leads to: vilification of other countries for being more prosperous. A belief that consumerism of any sort is a sign of excess, of a spiritual malaise. Poverty becomes a virtue and comfort a sin. We must rise above our material needs towards a higher purpose (the commune, or the divine).
Finally: money itself becomes evil, and leftism gives up any notion of improving economic conditions. All forms of economic activity become vilified. The sole noble good becomes self-sacrifice.
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