Le dernier mot: Washingtonian Madness
My farewell column has a melancholy air not only because all partings are inherently sad, but because the times are genuinely grim. The world is changing . . . not for the better, and America is making a disproportionate contribution to the process. There is a malaise at the very core of this country’s foreign-policymaking, on both sides of the dominant duopoly in Washington. At its poles there may be differences over tactics and means, but the alleged necessity of America’s continued, open-ended “engagement” in faraway lands is never questioned—and it will not be questioned under the new regime.
The madness is an amorphous beast, and it is still remarkably unaffected by the awful financial and economic reality. It has many names—multiculturalism, one-worldism, tolerantism, inclusivism, antidiscriminationism—that demand engagement abroad and wide-open doors at home. Both abroad and at home, the impulse is neurotic; its justification, gnostic. It reflects the collective loss of nerve, faith, and identity of a diseased society, producing a self-destructive malaise that is literally unprecedented in history.
The intoxication is the arrogant belief that our reason and our science and our technology can resolve all the dilemmas and challenges of our existence, and, in particular, that enlightened abstractions—democracy, human rights, free markets—can be spread across the world and are capable of transforming it in a way that would ultimately turn Muhammads into Joes (which is what they all want, we are assured, or would choose only if they could think clearly). Both the madness and the intoxication have a “left,” essentially Wilsonian, narrative (one-world, postnational, compassionate, multilateralist, therapeutic) and a “right,” or neoconservative, one (democracy-exporting, interventionist, monopolar, boastfully self-aggrandizing).
Though differing in practice, both outlooks are utopian and firmly rooted in the legacy of the Enlightenment and the rejection of any power independent of “the market” and the ostensible will of the multitude. Both hold that Man is naturally good and improvable, that human conflict is unnatural and vanquishable, that chaos and bloodshed around the world are primarily the fruits of some flawed policies of the West (Wilsonians) or the result of our insufficient “engagement” (neoconservatives).
The former find remedies in endless self-examination, in the supranational mechanisms of “collective security” controlled by themselves, and in the promotion of “dialogue” with every Third World tyrant and madman, for as long as he declares a grievance against us. The latter rely on the use of force to impose their benevolent global order on a supposedly grateful pre-postmodern humanity. Both are determined to make the world as they want it to be rather than to deal with the world as it is. This produces policies that are invariably flawed, often evil, and occasionally fatal. Both are united in their loathing of the realist view of America not as an ever-expanding empire but as a republic with definable borders and interests rooted in her history, culture, and tradition. When a realist warns of the Hobbesian nature of the real world and advocates national interest as the foundation of this country’s external affairs, they both cry in unison, “Isolationism!” “Racism!” or some other ism.
It is incorrect to describe Wilsonianism and neoconservatism as two “schools” of foreign policy. They are, rather, two sects of the same Western heresy that has its roots in the Renaissance and its fruits in liberal democracy. Their shared denominational genes are recognizable not in what they seek but in what they reject: polities based on national and cultural commonalities; durable elites and constitutions; and independent economies. Both view all permanent values and institutions with unrestrained hostility. Both exalt state power and reject any political tradition based on the desirability of limited government at home and nonintervention in foreign affairs. Both claim to favor the “market” but advocate a kind of state capitalism managed by the transnational apparatus of global financial and regulatory institutions.Their shared core belief—that society should be managed by the state in both its political and its economic life—is equally at odds with the tenets of the liberal left and those of the traditional right. Far from being “patriotic” in any conventional sense, they both reject the real, historic America in favor of a propositional construct devoid of all organic bonds and collective memories.
The two sects’ deep-seated distaste for the traditional societies, regimes, and religion of the European continent was manifested in President Clinton’s war against the Serbs in 1999 and in their unanimous support for Kosovo’s independence today.
For the same reason, they share a visceral Russophobia, a soft spot for Chechen jihadists, and a commitment to NATO expansion. Both Wilsonians and neoconservatives are united in opposing democracy in postcommunist Eastern Europe, lest it produce governments that will base the recovery of their ravaged societies on the revival of the family, sovereign nationhood, and the Christian Faith. Inevitably, they have joined forces in creating and funding political parties and NGOs east of the Trieste-Stettin Line that promote the entire spectrum of postmodern isms that have atomized America and the rest of the West for the past four decades. From Bratislava to Bucharest to Belgrade, both present the embrace of deviancy, perversion, and morbidity as the litmus test of an aspirant’s “Western” clubbability. Ultimately, both sects share the Straussian dictum that the perpetual manipulation of hoi polloi by those in power is necessary because they need to be told what is good for them.
The essential similarity of Wilsonians and neoconservatives is undeniable. The inability of most patriotic, traditionalist Middle Americans to recognize that similarity and its implications is a problem. Many have no difficulty in recognizing the weirdness or evil of, say, Hillary Clinton, but they would be hard-pressed to detect identical traits in an equally radical sectarian who has morphed into a self-styled “conservative” of the Weekly Standard variety.
As Brian Mitchell notes in the conclusion to his book Eight Ways to Run the Country, the obvious disharmony between the genuine conservatism of ancient ideals—whether Anglo-American or orthodox Christian—and the ruthlessly new ideology of “democratic capitalism” embodied in Michael Ledeen’s Creative Destructionism is lost on the average “Red” American who votes Republican and watches FOX News:
It remains to be seen how far capitalism will carry us before social conservatives awake to its dangers. When free men are allowed to amass great fortunes from global rackets in gambling, pornography, prostitution, narcotics, weaponry, and usury, the permanent things can only expect short shrift. Ultimately, such unrestrained capitalism is on the side of our enslavers. In a thoroughly capitalist world, men will buy and sell each other. Only a power independent of the free market can save us from the slave market.
Historically, Mitchell notes, only two institutions have been up to the task: the institutions of nondemocratic governments that guard against accumulation of wealth outside government control, and a unified Christian Church whose wealth and power are committed to nonmarket purposes. “Democracy alone is no match for the market,” Mitchell concludes, “for democracy is itself a market, selling power to the highest bidder.” Indeed, democracy in America is a corrupt “democratic process” run by an elite class that conspires both to make secondary issues important and to treat important issues as either irrelevant or illegitimate: One party may be in; another, out; but the regime is in power permanently.
The global power of the Wilsonian-neoconservative regime is unlikely to be broken incrementally by an America gradually coming to her senses. It will indeed be broken, but the price will be paid in Middle American blood and treasure. We cannot know when and how this will happen—but happen, it will. We cannot know what will be the theme of after-dinner discussions a hundred years hence, but we do know it will not be the global grandeur of the liberal-democratic-capitalist Pax Americana.
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Geez, his last article was his best by far. A no nonsense hit between the eyes as it were for why the nation is probably doomed barring a miraculous awakening of the American people. I hope you are not going to stop writing Dr. Trifkovic, you are on top of your game in the world of conservative pundits/writers, and I have enjoyed just about all of your past articles. Will we be able to read your articles in a new sight? I sure hope so!!!! Best wishes though regardless!!!!!!! You are just about the best around!!!
I actually saw that propaganda piece about Nevsky and the Battle on the Ice against the Teutonic knights. A silent film if remember correctly. It made the Teutonic Knights look really bad and a traitor priest gets lynched at the end. Of course Prince Nevsky is made the brave hero fighting back the Germanic horde. Fairly big production for the day, although it looked like it was produced in the real early 20th century and not the 30's. Obviously the Soviets were behind in film technology back then.
What do you mean, farewell?? The main reason I have this website in my favorites is because of Mr. Trifkovic outstanding contributions.
Srdja, you're a smart fellow and I'm sure you'll land on both feet. It seems that right now a man of your talent could find a position with Russia Today. These might be a good couple of years to avoid the USA, but unfortunatley some of us will have to stay and fight heroically keeping your writings in mind as inspiration. You've taught us well. Merci mille fois!
@30 John
True! I hope 2009 becomes the year that Christians become committed to focused prayer -- an underground movement that the forces of darkness cannot co-opt. I believe the Lord will bind wicked individuals if we have the guts to name names before Him, and as long as we avoid acts of self-aggrandizement such as appearing on television.
EG
RT appears to be on a limited budget, while periodically falling under the sway of English language mass media biases. Among others, ST would be a plus for that station.
All this is said by someone who very much supports RT's originally and (if I'm not mistaken) currently stated intent.
Robert & George:
Here's a left wing neocon (for lack of a better categorization) perspective of Stalin:
http://pajamasmedia.com/ronradosh/2008/12/30/the-rebirth-of-the-stalin-cult/
I posted some comments about it there (pardon misspelling of Petlura). An additional set of comments I submitted is currently awaiting "moderation."
Robert:
That film was obviously produced with a certain intent. Stalin sensed an upcoming war. He failed miserably in knowing when it would happen.
"left wing neocon"
That's redundant.
There's a difference between some of them. Some if not all of the "left wing neocons" (as categorized in some circles) probably object to even being put in the neocon category.
@53Michael Averko
I posted a comment there too, and awaiting “moderation.” I seriously doubt it will get posted by our self-appointed censors, although what I said was factual providing a link mentioning who was behind Communism and how Russia became Communist in the first place.
I also critiqued Russia during the 90’s and why the US and EU has a problem with Putin and modern Russia and who controls the US.
"...the ... new ideology of “democratic capitalism”.....
Reuters reports that the assets of failed U.S. mortgage lender IndyMac ( estimated at $13.9 billion) are being bought by a group of private equity and hedge fund firms, including Dune Capital Management and J.C. Flowers & Co, which are putting up $1.3 billion in cash.... Affiliates of billionaire investor George Soros and Michael Dell, the chief executive of computer maker Dell Inc, are also involved with the consortium buying IndyMac..."
Instead of locking them up at Guantanamo they are allowed to buy the by themselves "deleveraged" assets for peanuts.
As a friend correctly pointed out that “The real crime is that the purchase is being funded with TARP funds - tax payers’ money - and no one takes notice.
The "democratic capitalism" has turned the American dream into a nightmare.
@57Boba
American has become a democratic Oligarchy like the British they fought independence from.
That’s why the founding fathers wanted a constitutional Republic because people vote or make opinions presented to them with a particular viewpoint by the media masters which the Oligarchy control case in point Rothschild owned Guardian media group in the UK and Soros MoveOn.org and B92 in the Balkans advocate foreign and domestic policy to further there financial empire.
Immigration is good not because of cheap labour but because it makes a country more “democratic” and sending our manufacturing base abroad is good to compete with the global economy.
Mr. Trifkovic, please let us know where we can read your future articles!!!
Robert,
the film in question is Sergei Eisenstein's 'Alexander Nevsky'. It is not silent, and it made the Teutonic Knights look anything but bad. In fact, it made them 'look good' - visually - and this is what counts in movies. The impeccable white tunics with crosses, the strange, threatening helmets, which put Darth Vader to shame; the beautifully choreographed liturgy scene which suggests a worthy and aristocratic enemy. Certainly not a 'German horde'. If anything, Russians are the ones represented as a people's army. Indeed, Eisenstein's Teutons are much like D. Vader in 'Star Wars' - they invoke fascination and respect.
How about that famous scene when they charge on their horses. We actually only see the actors swaying in the saddle, holding a spear...What a director!
Let's not forget that Soviets did not lag behind in film making.
Eisenstein is considered a pioneer of modern cinema by all western accounts (see Battleship Potemkin)
The Soviet film school grew out of the Russian modernist movement, and was on par with German and American cinema at the time. Some even say that later Russian cinema, from soc-realist to Tarkovsky falls far short of Eisenstein and Dziga Vertov.
@51Etienne Gervaise
Do you ever comment on Peter Lavelle’s Blog on Russia Today website?
http://www.russiatoday.com/employee/27
I sometimes post comments there under the name James.
I posted a comment there recently with a link to this article.
Actually I tried to see if there is contact information to see if they will be carrying daily coverage of the Karadzic trail at The Hague.
I doubt they will but it will be good if they did because if it is anything like the revelations revealed during the Milosevic trail it will further dismantle the Clintonites in Obama’s staff narrative of what went on in Bosnia during the 90’s maybe even re-evaluating the nature of America’s War on Terror.
I am very sad to see you go, Dr. Trifkovic. I have enjoyed reading your articles on foreign policy for two years now; I wish it could have been longer. I have referenced and cited your articles numerous times in debates I have had regarding American foreign policy and foreign affairs, especially with regard to the Georgia-South Ossetia conflict. This, your last article, was exceptional as usual.
May God bless you always.
George: They posted them, along with some other comments that took issue with RR's piece. That's the least could do, given PJM's slant.
http://pajamasmedia.com/ronradosh/2008/12/30/the-rebirth-of-the-stalin-cult/
Come to think of it, there's no disrespecting of Dr. T by bringing up such matter here. His commentary delves into such topics.
John Lofton @30,
Nice post, too bad your words would fall on deaf ears to many belonging to the Religious Right. Too many think that the GOP still is a Christian adversarial vehicle to the secualar leftism of the Democrats.
@61Michael Averko
Slanted opinions and negative viewpoints seem to be the norm in regards to Russia.
I can't mention how many times I see comments posted on blogs that Russia is Gog and Magog in the bible and that it's secretly preparing to invade or annex parts of neighbouring countries.
I think its part of the genetic psyche of Europeans and Americans.
The majority EU, US populace on any topic concerning Russia is always negative even when they know the facts case in point the recent Georgia conflict.
China suffers from this to but not as much as Russia.
Perhaps Russia should view itself as a Eurasian country rather than a European one.
Domestically Japan is more representative of its people’s interest and better governed than Britain or the US so why should Russia adopt US democratic style government rather than Japan’s or South Koreas?
If Dr. Trifkovic's departure is of his own choosing then Zbogom! (Go with God); if it is not, then the loss is surely that of the publisher.
As the ancient Chinese say..."May you live in interesting times."
Dr. Trifkovic is a brilliant man and a brilliant writer who is blessed with great communication skills that will surely take him to higher levels in these "interesting times." His passion and his knowledge have been a wonderful gift to his readers. I wish him continued success.
A BIENTOT
Dear Dr. Trifkovic,
We have been very sad by reading your Mot d'adieux.
Cronicles is the only magazine in USA I could have published my accounts in ("An Open Letter to British journalists- Kosovo, Mr. Blair and Others," Habsburgs islamization of Raska, Kosovo, Kosovo again, and some aperc,u. The article "Fuerst Schwarzenberg Protected Orthodox Colonists in Slavonia" I have not send yet.)
I am looking forward to seeing you in Belgrade, where -- after the colapse of the old regime, more than eight years ago -- we were too weak to stop the infiltration of the red cameleons into the political parties, the press, diplomacy and into the governing strata. In this pseudo democratic Serbia, the interpretation of history is neocommunis, the economy socialist: no restitution whatever, nationalisated property is "privatised", the press censored, the law for the rehabilitation of the victims of communism is a farce. This is the consequence of the old American policy not to help dissidents, but to bargain with red comrades for change. Rather with turncoats than with havebeens, as a Canadian diplomat has said.
If you visit us, you could be well informed trough the contacts with our Silent Majority, with the scions of the last genuine middle class citzens. A forum with your leadership as eyeopener, could help folks here to discern the trouth.
Mot de passe: Liberte' sans bombardement
a l'Europe, mais ne pas a l'OTAN.
With kind regards
Ljubinko Jovicic
Dr. Trifkovic,
You understand very well the nature of Islam and Islamic culture. Many thanks on behalf of all Kashmiris who lost their ancestral homes to Jihadists for bravely pointing out the truths about Islam in your articles.
Adios, amigo; via con Dios.
Well said William Dorich.
To elaborate on Ljubinko Jovicic's salient points, it's great to have venues like Chronicles, Antiwar.com and Counterpunch. However, significant ground is gained when the Srdja Trifkovics get their points across in English language mass media.
George: I wouldn't get too hung up on European versus Eurasian. So-called "globalization" shouldn't negate Russia's historic and geographical realities.
Note how the West has been heavily involved with Asia. Also note the Asian backgrounds of some non-Russian peoples of Europe. The point being that some Russia-unfriendly types out there use the harped on Europe v Eurasia issue for unnecessarily divisive reasons.
Dr. T's commentary has involved delving into the propagandistic use of words like "Europe."
You might be interested in this poll:
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/32548/russians_would_save_symbols_of_communism/
Get ready for the propaganda to downplay that only 5% of Russians support a return of such symbols.
People who seek to "preserve" symbols can do so in ways different from how some suggest. In NY, there's a long running weekly military affairs show. The Jewish host of that show observed how a good number of Nazi regalia collectors are Jews.
@Michael Averko: The definition of neocon is of course rather tenebrous; strictly speaking it should refer to a former communist or soft-core social democrat who became a conservative. In the Bush Era it took on the conotation of one who supports some form of bloodthirsty "Benevolent Global Hegemony," due largely to the fact that the chief instigators were often the intellectual (or biological) descendants of the first people to call themselves "neocons." That is Wilsonianism by any other name and perhaps by convergent intellectual evolution, but it is a page ripped right out of the Enlightenment. That was the sense in which I took your use of the word "neocon" and hence why I suggested that the use was "redundant": post-Bush, the essence of what makes a "neocon" a "neocon" is a basically leftist global vision.
67Michael Averko:
"...a good number of Nazi regalia collectors are Jews...".
And why not, since there were about 150,000 Jewish soldiers and officers in the German armed forces, at least some of them with offspring.
Even many Jews don't believe the swindle of National Socialist culpability.
I'm certain my position will attract the ire of Dr Wilson, who berates the North's version of the civil war, yet denies me the same for WWII with regards to Germany.
H.F. Wolff
Perhaps Srdja is needed more in China. On a road trip yesterday I stumbled on NPR's On the Media reporting on a book called Wolf Totem about what's wrong with the modern Chinese people.
http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2009/01/02/03
BROOKE GLADSTONE: In Wolf Totem you offer harsh and constant criticism of the Han Chinese. You write that the Han Chinese are weaker than the Western races because the Western nomadic races handed down their vitality and their intelligence to their descendants. Do I have that right?
JIANG RONG [VIA INTERPRETER]:
Yes, it is. The ancestors of Han were a nomadic nation who were very tough but as they came to the land of China their characteristics changed.
Among the four great ancient civilizations, the drainage areas of Yangtze River and Yellow River are the world's biggest farming areas. But agriculture needs peace. The ruling class found that as long as farmers could plow the field, they would be meek, easy to rule. All the ruling classes in Chinese history understood this. And over thousands of years, the Han personality turned meek as sheep.
BROOKE GLADSTONE: You've been criticized for equating peacefulness with sheepishness, and the book has also been accused of being both racist and, I think, crypto fascist. What do you think?
JIANG RONG [VIA INTERPRETER]:
I don't agree. The distinction is not between good and bad, but between weak and tough. I don't mean China is a bad nation, I mean that its character is weak. It's proved by thousands of years of history. Otherwise, China would not have been ruled by nomadic minorities for so long, or colonial and semi-colonial society more recently.
That's why I have to criticize the personality of Chinese people. Chinese people only demand a full stomach and a peaceful life, not democracy and freedom. Their personality is too weak. The Western spirit that pursues freedom and democracy is scarce in Chinese people.
The initially stated point on that subject relating to how wanting to "preserve" symbols isn't necessarily meant as supporting an active return of them. This is true as per the results of this previously linked poll: http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/32548/russians_would_save_symbols_of_communism/
NGPM
I think we're understood. Neocons are certainly to the left in the way you describe. At the same time, among neocons, I sense more left tendencies within that grouping.
@Etienne Gervaise
"That’s why I have to criticize the personality of Chinese people. Chinese people only demand a full stomach and a peaceful life, not democracy and freedom. Their personality is too weak. The Western spirit that pursues freedom and democracy is scarce in Chinese people."
I think Chinese are happy to be left alone. They have always been that way throughout history. Why is this bad? The Chinese have never attacked other countries and have never been imperialists--their meddling in Burma is recent after they became Communist and learned from the West to meddle in other people's countries and poke their noses where they do not belong. China has thousands of years of civilization behind it--it might not be the kind of civilization you approve of or like but it is nevertheless their kind of civilization. What is a few hundred years to a country that old? If they are to advance and regain their lost place in the world, the last two hundred years will probably be seen as a brief period in which the let their country be controlled by outsiders.
70Etienne Gervaise:
"...The Western spirit that pursues freedom and democracy..."
Surely thou jest?
When is the last time you have experienced this spirit?
All I have observed over the last 30-odd years is political correctness and the stifling of free speech. And our democracy is where the densest cave-dweller has the same say (vote) as an educated, degreed, tax-paying, family man, raising 5 children?
You will forgive me if I fail to see that spirit.
The Chinese, on the other hand, have run a reasonably successful society for what, over 4,000 years?
H.F. Wolff
It was NPR on the radio. It just so happened that program was the most interesting thing on as I by-passed Richmond. I was surprised that a Chinaman would tattle tell on his own nation in that manner. But other Chinese I know corroborate that statement. The remark about having a full stomach could just as easily apply to any Euro-westerner.
@72 gargi
The Opium Wars instigated by the evil Sassoon family did China no good. Communism ended regionalism and united the several states. In 1957 the Reds took over Tibet who for centuries had raided and oppressed the Han sod-busters. China is ascendant, and Europe is in decline, and both deserve their place.
@73 H.F. Wolff
It doesn't show up much in the newspapers, but there are missionaries who run hospitals in Yemen and pay with their lives. Look anywhere but Washington -- or the newspapers.
It is with sadness that I see Dr. Trifkovic is leaving Chronicles. His articles were much anticipated by me each month.
I remember meeting him once when he spoke at a John Randolph Conference in Georgetown some years ago. During a break, we both shared some conversation and a cigarette outside the hotel. He said "Being both a Serb and a smoker, I'm a double pariah." What a great line.
Should anyone have more info re. Dr. Trifkovic's new whereabouts, please share them with this audience. I have always enjoyed his thoughtful articles and no-nonsense analysis, and I hope to
enjoy them soon again.
God bless you, Dr. Trifkovic. You are a valiant and much-needed proponent of all that is good (faith, culture, history), and we are all in your debt.
Vale!
God Bless Serdja! Please tell us where to find your writings! Your wisdom got me through many a dark day in world affairs.