Friday, February 27, 2009

Socialism and State control pander to the lowest common denominator.

Far from being a 'noble' pursuit, state power is based on the largest number of supporters, possessing the lowest of qualities.

by StFerdIII



Hayek's appraisal of socialism should be repeated in an age where government decrees relentlessly tell the 'mass', that only 'they' can 'save' us – whoever 'us' is exactly. The immoral imperative of socialism is obvious. As Hayek wrote, to be effective a state managed society must appeal to the largest number of supporters, who in aggregate, must support the simplest and lowest-of-quality solutions. The lowest denominators rule, because these simple concepts are the only ones which can unify disparate classes and groups.

Socialism means baseness – a fact supported by various implementations of communal ideology, including Nazism, Communism, many forms of Islam, and military-social dictatorships throughout much of the 'Third World'. Hitler's socialist Nazism was for example, extremely effective in attracting widespread support because the lowest quality of people across society, from all classes, bought into, and supported, a set of simpleton ideas designed to solve rather complex problems. In order to have broad appeal the state's ideas must be of low quality.

Socialists are experts at the management of the mass and of managing the psychology of crowds. Witness the lunacy surrounding what could be derisively called, the 'Prophet Obama's' rise to power. Much of this rise is premised on socialist-marxist constructs and ideas, all of which have been seen ad nauseum over the past 70 years – all with greatly negative results. Simpleton ideas, simple rhetoric, lies, distortions and the constant refrain that only 'he' or his group can 'save' us, is de rigueur and standard fare for the power hungry statist. Obama is not new, unique or the chosen one. He is just another recycled statist, repeating a performance which has been oft seen in times past.

The dangers of ever more state control and socialisation – irregardless of whatever crisis government has manufactured – is aptly summarised by Hayek:

“...we have to descend to the regions of lower moral and intellectual standards where the more primitive and 'common' instincts and tastes prevail. This does not mean that the majority of people have low moral standards; it merely means that the largest group of people whose values are very similar are the people with low standards. It is, as it were, the lowest common denominator which unites the largest number of people.”

That is true. The lowest common beliefs and ideas are the only way to hold across a state, a plurality of support. We see this is the state manufactured cults so prevalent today – the environmental movement; the globaloney warming scam; unions and protectionists; and those who want welfare or subsidies. These groups deal in simplistic platitudes, nostrums and intellectual nonsense. They are state owned, protected, or funded. It is not a giant chore to see that low quality beliefs devoid of any rationality or factual basis, is the foundation for their existence.

Simpleton ideas – such as globaloney warming, or that the new Prophet Obamed is 'gonna' save us – appeal to the weak of mind. Hayek makes the valid point that, “...he will be able to obtain the support of all the docile and gullible, who have no strong convictions of their own but are prepared to accept a ready-made system of values if it is only drummed into their ears sufficiently loudly and frequently.”

Indeed. Hence the extensive use of propaganda by statists. The endless rhetoric of the Nazis and Communists, the globaloney warming crowd; and even the media-loving Prophet Obamed supporters, all clarify the docile and gullible nature of the mass - if they are told something enough they will believe it. It is again the lowest of quality, and most facile of minds which are ensnared.

And once caught the individual then rationalises his cult and his beliefs. This process usually centers upon some imagined 'morality'. For instance the eco-fascists and globaloney warming supporters fantasize that they are saving mother earth, and are thereby a superior class and sect. The only thing missing is that they don't wear indentifiable uniforms or greet each other with a cult greeting. The same is true of the ardent statist. They outsource real morality, ethics and local charity to ever larger groups. Hence the idea that if one supports socialism and by extension socialised housing, health care, day care, industry and even sport teams; one is superior, kind, caring and moral. The group replaces the person.

Reinhold Neibuhr who wrote, 'Moral Man and Immoral Society', is quoted by Hayek on this point:
“....[the] increasing tendency among modern men to imagine themselves ethical because they have delegated their vices to larger and larger groups.” Notice the word 'vices'. Since the group is taking action – or society – the individual is freed from responsibility. Why help the local church help the local poor ? The state will do it. Ergo I will support politicians who want more state control; higher taxes and more programs. I am therefore moral.

Socialism and statism is by definition the lowest possible denominator organisation of society. It is distinctly amoral in every way a program of political-economy can be. It is illogical. It is cultish. It is brutal. The means to the ends are not communal or efficacious, but crude and oppressive. The modern world was a reaction against this age old evil. It is irrational for anyone to welcome its return.