Elites Through The Ages

Razib Khan surveys the rise of democratic populism in the United States:
New England was the last redoubt of the Federalist vision of hierarchical conservatism, from limited white male suffrage to established churches. Additionally, the rise to the fore of what during the Enlightenment would be termed “Enthusiasm” is notable, as democratic politics turns [...]

That’s odd . . .

I could have sworn that one William Kristol was a member of our “highly educated and sophisticated elite.” Perhaps this is his round-about way of taking responsibility for the Iraq debacle?
Most of the recent mistakes of American public policy, and most of the contemporary delusions of American public life, haven’t come from an ignorant and [...]

Speaking of Populists . . .

Here’s an interesting interview with Ron Paul from Nathancontramundi. I’ve soured on the man since his quasi-racist tendencies were exposed by The New Republic, but I can’t help but admire his stubborn adherence to principle.

“Populism”

It occurs to me that the emergence of a genuinely populist candidate would look radically different from Governor Palin’s stage-managed political entrance. Mike Huckabee, for example, was a populist presidential contender who came out of nowhere to challenge the GOP’s political establishment. The hallmarks of the Huckabee campaign – the shoe-string budget, the lack of [...]

Don’t call it a comeback

The bailout passes the House. So much for the next great populist uprising . . .