Imagine a world in which Congressman Jamie Raskin attempts to deliver a speech on “Democracy, Autocracy, and the Threat to Reason in the 21st Century” and is unable to deliver his remarks because Trump supporters drown him out, and authorities justify the disruption as an exercise in “democracy.” Democrats attempting to raise money for the opposition are surrounded on the street by Trumpists shouting “fuck Joe Biden” and abusing them with racial epithets.

These are the kind of scenes that come to mind when we imagine the authoritarian culture of a second Trump term. They are also events that have not only occurred but have grown commonplace. This pattern of behavior is illiberal and dangerous.

The twist, of course, is that the mobs shutting down the opposition to Trump are not Trump supporters, or at least not right-wing Trump supporters. Pro-Palestinian activists have set out to disrupt Democratic Party officials from speaking and raising funds to defeat Trump.

You are not supposed to criticize us wojak-nooo

But the problem is not one of mere efficacy. Drowning out speakers and disrupting exercises in politics, regardless of its cause or the target, is wrong on principle.

Sir pls, you are not letting me finish wojak-nooo

The most elemental premise of liberalism is that politics should be governed by a uniform set of rules or norms that apply to everybody, regardless of the content of their beliefs. Over the last decade, an increasingly visible fault line has opened up on the left between political liberals and more radical activists.

The illiberal left defines politics as a conflict between oppressor and victim and does not believe the former deserves the same rights as the latter.

yes-comm

    • Frank [he/him, he/him]
      ·
      7 months ago

      It won't, though? The notion that trying to make things better will actually make things the same, except worse, is a liberal dogma.

      • NewLeaf
        ·
        edit-2
        7 months ago

        That's why liberals don't try. Liberal politicians don't try because it benefits their lifestyle

    • FourteenEyes [he/him]
      ·
      7 months ago

      the wise man bowed his head solemnly and spoke: "theres actually zero difference between good & bad things. you imbecile. you fucking moron"

    • Pluto [he/him, he/him]
      ·
      7 months ago

      Unity for the sake of capitalism is no unity at all. It's a false peace.

    • SacredExcrement [any, comrade/them]
      ·
      edit-2
      7 months ago

      You are a moron attempting to sound profound and intelligent. You believe "if the oppressed are elevated, everyone else will be persecuted by them", you realize how this reflects on you, right? Typical reactionary, fearing retribution from those they've trodden on for so long.

      Speak less.

    • emizeko [they/them]
      ·
      edit-2
      7 months ago

      wow you're so wise, maybe you could explain what are the base and superstructure?

      all states are class dictatorships but only one class wants to abolish class entirely

      • TreadOnMe [none/use name]
        ·
        edit-2
        7 months ago

        More over, only one class actually can abolish class, as the other classes positions are fully beholden to it's production.

    • CyborgMarx [any, any]
      ·
      7 months ago

      Do tell, how does it "re-create" the same divide? Define this "full circle" that seems to dominate your thinking

      Also are you asserting that no one can challenge any divide whatsoever because according to you "It re-create the same divide" is that how you think human history operates?

    • keepcarrot [she/her]
      ·
      7 months ago

      Yes, you're right, we should ignore it and seek no redress, then everything will be just.

    • TechnoUnionTypeBeat [he/him, they/them]
      ·
      7 months ago

      There's always going to be divides, dipshit

      You can't "utopian centre path where everyone is happy and compromises uwu" your way out of politics

    • GarbageShoot [he/him]
      ·
      edit-2
      7 months ago

      Can you name a single instance of going "full circle" in human history?

      How's that "anarchist" instance going?

      • newerAccountWhoDis [they/them]
        ·
        7 months ago

        Can you name a single instance of going "full circle" in human history?

        Well Br*tain is currently ruled by an Indian checkmate tankie