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Category: Europe

Florence and thereabouts

Posted on October 22, 2013October 22, 2013 by Gus

Magical paths, Monte Firoelle, Italy

Duomo detail 3, Florence

Duomo detail, Florence

Duomo detail

Courtyard in old Florence

Duomo detail 2

Florence from the European University Institute (EUI) where I was a guest

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Gus DiZerega

4 months ago

I have just finished a book I labeled "The Tragedy of American Conservatism." A day after I finished the most important project of my life, the manuscript "The Great Forgetting" I woke up with the image of the book in my mind. My first word was "Shit!!" because I felt obligated to write it given all that's going on in this country and, if I am right, a key piece of the puzzle was the nature of American conservatism that was best grasped by stuff I developed in my dissertation.No kicking back a little and just looking for a publisher for "Great Forgetting."Damn!Well, it's done. I am sharing PDFs with people in return for their response not as editors but regarding the basic argument.In this context I just came across a excellent analysis of fascism on Salon by Mike Lofgren. A+ in my opinion. BUT his analysis of conservatism is as flawed as most progressive and left analyses are, although far more competently done than is usually the case. The first part of his essay is so good I am linking to it as a whole here. The second part is as good a job as can be done from deeply flawed premises about conservatism and so I will offer my manuscript to anyone interested enough to read it and (hopefully) respond.Conservatism is decisively shaped by the culture in which it flourishes. Russian conservatism is different from British conservatism which is different from German conservatism, but all seek to protect and presence what they regard as most basic to their traditional societies. Most of those societies were authoritarian with state religions. But not all.British conservatism was different. American conservatism was even more distinct. British conservatism at the time of the American Revolution elevated law above political authority but was not democratic.American conservatism grew out of the country's founding and kept the British respect for law over authority, but also honored the American principle of equality before the law, and therefore for what we call democracy. It was traditional but not authoritarian and its major intellectual predecessors were men like David Hume and Edmund Burke. The last powerful American conservative leader in this nation was Barry Goldwater. In no way was he a fascist.My own book ms. describes how American conservatism got taken over by genuine fascism. As symbols for the transition, essentially Goldwater to Nixon to Reagan to especially Bush II and then to Trump. In the process all that distinguished American conservatives as possessing valuable insights rooted in Hume and related thinkers was lost, leaving only authoritarianism and fascism.It's a fascinating tale in my opinion as American conservatives unintentionally committed suicide, especially after they allied themselves with Southern conservatism, which rejected the American approach for authoritarian European ones. American conservatives' fatal weakness, I think, was that most were often racists and saw the South as an ally.Anyway here's Lofgren's essay, excellent on fascism and flawed in the usual way, but more competently done than most, regarding American conservatism as it existed with Goldwater and those like him.If you've read this far and want to see my analysis, message me. ... See MoreSee Less

Trump regime isn't fascist, claims leading intellectual: It just looks that way - Salon.com

www.salon.com

Mark Lilla claims MAGA isn't even conservative, let alone fascist. This kind of cowardice won't age well

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Gus DiZerega

12 months ago

The Suicide of American Conservatism. Liberal Currents. February 19, 2025. ... See MoreSee Less

The Suicide of American Conservatism

www.liberalcurrents.com

American conservatism is largely an intellectual corpse, killed by people who claim to be conservatives.

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Gus DiZerega

1 years ago

Some asshole has apparently hacked me. At this stage of my life I DO NOT send out friend requests. Please ignore or report.Thanks!Gus ... See MoreSee Less

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Gus DiZerega

1 years ago

Many years ago, when I was teaching at the University of Puget Sound, the Exxon Valdez went aground in Alaska, causing a particularly horrible oil spill. Exxon's first public words were that everything was OK and any spill would be small. When the truth came out, I wondered why they had lied when the lie would soon be exposed.As I started exploring that and related issues I came to the conclusion: "Big organizations always lie. Whenever they tell the truth, it is never because it is the truth." True for bureaucracies, corporations, the Red Cross, churches, the Boy Scouts, and on and on. My study as to why this is the case I link to in the comments.But perhaps the worst of all such organizations are police departments. Not only do they lie, they attract bullies who abuse their powers and are then protected by the organization and by police unions. Many people die and murders go unpunished as a consequence. Not all cops are this way, but it is risky for a decent cop to report a villain on the force because, as Frank Serpico of the NYPD found out, that can lead to your premature death. (The second link below), He was so honest a movie was made about him.I wish more Americans would learn of the very high price they pay for paying out damages over cop misbehavior while the real criminals go unpunished, too often to act criminally again. ... See MoreSee Less

The Hidden Billion-Dollar Cost of Repeated Police Misconduct

getpocket.com

More than $1.5 billion has been spent to settle claims of police misconduct on behalf of thousands of officers repeatedly accused of wrongdoing. Taxpayers are often in the dark.

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Gus DiZerega

1 years ago

www.dizerega.com/2024/09/12/donald-trump-the-antchrist-and-power/ ... See MoreSee Less

Donald Trump, the Antchrist, and Power

www.dizerega.com

I obviously do not believe Biblical prophecies have a divine source in any sense. At the same time, I am fascinated by the power coherent images and attitudes have to influence people’s perceptions....

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