Aug 8, 2022·edited Aug 9, 2022Liked by Shikha Dalmia
You probably wrote this before reading the Atlantic's incredible article on Trump's (and Miller's) "no tolerance" family separation policy, but it's a perfect complement to the article. I can't wait to read Shklar's essay.
An excellent article. Can i also recommend to you the work of another Eastern European exile Leszek Kolakowski? Here is a wonderful quote about him and Judith Shklar by the Late Tony Judt
"What [this historical experience] produced was what Judith Shklar, in another context, once described as a ”liberalism of fear”: the uncompromising defense of reason and moderation born of firsthand experience of the consequences of ideological excess; the ever-present awareness of the possibility of catastrophe, at its worst when misunderstood as opportunity or renewal, of the temptations of totalizing thought in all its protean variety. In the wake of twentieth-century history, this was the Central European lesson. If we are very fortunate, we shall not have to relearn it again for some time to come; when we do, we had better hope that there will be someone around to teach it. Until then, we would do well to reread Kołakowski."
Thanks for the introduction to Judith Shklar. A political theorist whom I will immediately move to the head of the line in my thinking.
Trump oozes cruelty but he's still America's greatest President. America allows corruption on a scale never seen before. The greedy rich show us how to be corrupt in our own little daily lives. America needs the hinges blown off.
Trump voters know that or sense that while the rest of the body politic says "Don't look things in the face. Our democracy is the best. Just vote and everything will work out. Let's see what specials CNN has produced.".
Judith Shklar does indeed frame an ideal. You say she admits sometimes cruelty must oppose a greater cruelty. Look at American prisons, schools, poverty which we could eliminate tomorrow and tell me our political outcomes are not crueler than Donald Trump by a mile.
Sometimes you need a leader whose instincts break the status quo even if that leader uses cruelty - possibly can't help using cruelty. Trump voters know they don't have anyone else at the moment to break whatever matrix the greedy rich have them in.
I won't vote for Trump or MAGA candidates. The matrix has been exposed. If America is going to even approach getting on track we need a maker to set the conversation to replace the breaker who has done his job.
Excellent article. Much to think about. Thank you!
You probably wrote this before reading the Atlantic's incredible article on Trump's (and Miller's) "no tolerance" family separation policy, but it's a perfect complement to the article. I can't wait to read Shklar's essay.
Great essay!
Basically, there is no liberalism without empathy for the individual
An excellent article. Can i also recommend to you the work of another Eastern European exile Leszek Kolakowski? Here is a wonderful quote about him and Judith Shklar by the Late Tony Judt
"What [this historical experience] produced was what Judith Shklar, in another context, once described as a ”liberalism of fear”: the uncompromising defense of reason and moderation born of firsthand experience of the consequences of ideological excess; the ever-present awareness of the possibility of catastrophe, at its worst when misunderstood as opportunity or renewal, of the temptations of totalizing thought in all its protean variety. In the wake of twentieth-century history, this was the Central European lesson. If we are very fortunate, we shall not have to relearn it again for some time to come; when we do, we had better hope that there will be someone around to teach it. Until then, we would do well to reread Kołakowski."
Cruelty as a tool of governance is on the rise on the left as well as the right:
https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/parents-lose-custody-of-transgender-teen/
https://nypost.com/2022/02/26/dad-lost-custody-after-questioning-sons-transgender-identity/
https://www.californiafamily.org/2022/07/new-bill-lets-courts-take-custody-of-minors-who-flee-to-ca-for-trans-treatments/
Thanks for the introduction to Judith Shklar. A political theorist whom I will immediately move to the head of the line in my thinking.
Trump oozes cruelty but he's still America's greatest President. America allows corruption on a scale never seen before. The greedy rich show us how to be corrupt in our own little daily lives. America needs the hinges blown off.
Trump voters know that or sense that while the rest of the body politic says "Don't look things in the face. Our democracy is the best. Just vote and everything will work out. Let's see what specials CNN has produced.".
Judith Shklar does indeed frame an ideal. You say she admits sometimes cruelty must oppose a greater cruelty. Look at American prisons, schools, poverty which we could eliminate tomorrow and tell me our political outcomes are not crueler than Donald Trump by a mile.
Sometimes you need a leader whose instincts break the status quo even if that leader uses cruelty - possibly can't help using cruelty. Trump voters know they don't have anyone else at the moment to break whatever matrix the greedy rich have them in.
I won't vote for Trump or MAGA candidates. The matrix has been exposed. If America is going to even approach getting on track we need a maker to set the conversation to replace the breaker who has done his job.