The best populists & fascists are the untalented members of the elite.
They hate the cleverest, most talented, most successful members of the elite - but do not want to replace the system.
Instead they seek to pevert it.
Populism isnt incompetent by accident, but by design.
They hate the cleverest, most talented, most successful members of the elite - but do not want to replace the system.
Instead they seek to pevert it.
Populism isnt incompetent by accident, but by design.
2/
One can see this in both Trump & Johnson.
Both must promote idiots - not thru their own personal failings but because to promote wise people would be a threat - not career wise - but the whole rationale of their power.
Populism seeks to pevert the elite - not revolutionise.
One can see this in both Trump & Johnson.
Both must promote idiots - not thru their own personal failings but because to promote wise people would be a threat - not career wise - but the whole rationale of their power.
Populism seeks to pevert the elite - not revolutionise.
3/
One can only understand Brexit when one understands that Brexit was never an attempt to transform Britain - but rather an attempt by Johnson, Farage & others to obtain power & respect they could not otherwise obtain.
It is "the entitlement of the mediocre".
One can only understand Brexit when one understands that Brexit was never an attempt to transform Britain - but rather an attempt by Johnson, Farage & others to obtain power & respect they could not otherwise obtain.
It is "the entitlement of the mediocre".
4/
One can particularly see this in media like the Telegraph/Spectator.
While obviously never popular among the left, both media have over the years published some 1st rate thinkers.
They now employ Toby Young, while Peter Foster or others depart for evidence based newspapers.
One can particularly see this in media like the Telegraph/Spectator.
While obviously never popular among the left, both media have over the years published some 1st rate thinkers.
They now employ Toby Young, while Peter Foster or others depart for evidence based newspapers.
5/
Boris Johnson must rid himself of free thinkers, liberals or even evidence based conservatives.
He must in order to justify himself to a population fed on the myths & feelings of Johnson.
Johnson was not a tool to get Brexit.
Brexit was a tool to get Johnsonism.
Boris Johnson must rid himself of free thinkers, liberals or even evidence based conservatives.
He must in order to justify himself to a population fed on the myths & feelings of Johnson.
Johnson was not a tool to get Brexit.
Brexit was a tool to get Johnsonism.
6/
The fault is UKs to own.
While its clear Russia & some US lobbies had a hand in Brexit - ultimately Brexit is the product of a "vengefull mediocre elite class".
Farage worked with Russia not because he's a paid up Russian spy but because he wants to be a member of the elite.
The fault is UKs to own.
While its clear Russia & some US lobbies had a hand in Brexit - ultimately Brexit is the product of a "vengefull mediocre elite class".
Farage worked with Russia not because he's a paid up Russian spy but because he wants to be a member of the elite.
7/
So what does the history of populism tell us where the UK will end up?
Its clear that most populist regimes end in war, revolution although some do peter out. Whats clear is that very few command any loyalty once power is lost.
So what does the history of populism tell us where the UK will end up?
Its clear that most populist regimes end in war, revolution although some do peter out. Whats clear is that very few command any loyalty once power is lost.
8/
The common factor for the survival of populism is the identification of "the enemy". As Brext posits "Europeans" as the enemy, its unclear how Johnsonism survives Brexit.
There are only 2 ways
1. Ramp up attacks & hatred of Europe
2. Find another internal or external enemy
The common factor for the survival of populism is the identification of "the enemy". As Brext posits "Europeans" as the enemy, its unclear how Johnsonism survives Brexit.
There are only 2 ways
1. Ramp up attacks & hatred of Europe
2. Find another internal or external enemy
9/
As UK stumbles into 2021 with masses of deaths due to a Coronavirus catastrophe & potential no deal of its own making 2 things will happen.
An elite fight back will attempt to depose Johnson.
They will succeed, but one question remains....
As UK stumbles into 2021 with masses of deaths due to a Coronavirus catastrophe & potential no deal of its own making 2 things will happen.
An elite fight back will attempt to depose Johnson.
They will succeed, but one question remains....
10/
..How far will the political-media establisment that enabled him want to return to stable govt?
History suggests Brits wil go along with hypocritical compomise rather than revolution or violence.
But its still a huge gamble to have made just to get Boris his 3 years as PM.
..How far will the political-media establisment that enabled him want to return to stable govt?
History suggests Brits wil go along with hypocritical compomise rather than revolution or violence.
But its still a huge gamble to have made just to get Boris his 3 years as PM.
