One way to understand this problem and the dilemma of those who seek out dissident political positions, is perhaps to consider the view that at least some of them subscribe to: That being the notion, or the fact, that 'the Left" and 'Progressives' dominate most cultural institutions. The 'long march through the institutions' is the turn of phrase employed.FlashDangerpants wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 2:14 pmThis all gets out of hand because there is no meaningful definition of "globalism" nor any hope that one could be furnished for such a nebulous notion. Simply look at the "anti-globalists" and you will see an array of unrelated contrarians each fighting a different monster. It goes beyond the left and the right (two nebulous objects in themselves that really don't mean anything specific either).
I have referred numerous times to this video where the political bias in a Canadian university is discussed by former students.
What this means is that the parameters of acceptable thought in academic institutions certainly, and by extension in numerous other institutions, and certainly in governing institutions, only allows a limited range of ideas. We have all been raised up within such a limiting environment and I think we all know just where the limits of speech are. To think, to talk, to write on themes deemed forbidden -- to the degree that one has some sort of *position* in society -- not only can but will result in repressive retribution.
This must be seen and acknowledged. If it is then the conditions of the present, and what really operates in the present, can be talked about.
True, that the term *globalism* like so many fighting words these days is an abbreviation. But why do such abbreviations exist? There are a few possible answers:
1) That fighting words make rallying behind some position, whether 'nebulous' or 'concrete', easier. Such abbreviations are extremely common in popular discourse today.
2) That those who use such open terms are those who grope around for basic, intelligible terms which, though imperfect and short-hand, give them some purchase within a conceptual realm that they may not dominate very well, or badly, or even at all.
3) That a word such as *globalism*, used pejoratively, is an "interpretive beginning". For example, if someone feels that all of a sudden their community is overrun (as they might say it) with foreigners and the quality of life they formerly enjoyed has been disrupted and they are distressed, dismayed and angry, they are forced to resort to down and dirty, and accessible, interpretive terms. And there is a logical connection between what the 'globalists' do or are understood to do (open borders, encourage immigration, etc.) and what this person notices in their town. They seek a way to grasp it and use a term of abbreviation.
4) The other usage is for purposes of political activism. When *fighting words* are employed they may be inaccurate, misleading, not particularly fair, but in the Culture Wars this is the name of the game.
But the important thing is to notice that there is a perception of something -- a monster (this is your negatively-inflected abbreviation BTW) -- being fought. As well as *worthy of being fought*. So these definitions involve many levels of valuation.an array of unrelated contrarians each fighting a different monster.
Let me be clear and direct Flash: Your discourse, from top to bottom, is shot through with terms that clearly and directly indicate that you believe that all such opposition and dissidence is *bad* and *evil*. Your views are condemnatory straight across the board.
And this, naturally, is par for the course today! You exemplify the way that limited and limiting discourse functions. Your views, the way you conduct yourself in the realm of ideas, results in banning, banishments, de-monitization, loss of employment positions, and the destruction of reputation.
You play a very hard game. And this is done intentionally. The desire behind it is to do as much damage as is possible. You and people like you who use these tactic can be said to be *drunk* with the power over others it provides to them. That is why these terms continue to be used so frequently: they work.