Posted under Conservatism & Interventionism & Political Philosophy & Ron Paul
At Nationalist Review, surprise, surprise.
Richard Brookhiser is an extreme nationalist. He has written several books defending the Federalist, and he is on the record as very pro-Union/anti-secession. In other words, he is a Hobbesian statist. Ron Paul represents an extreme threat to his statist world view. Of course Brookhiser sees the problem as libertarians and pascifists (the other), but he should realize that authentic conservatives reject the modern Hobbesian nation state as well.
Most—maybe all—libertarians acknowledge a right to self defense. But in the modern world this cannot be done by militias. It requires a military industrial complex, with all the attendant consequences.
That is a bit of a straw man. The Founders presupposed a standing Navy (I agree) and disagreed over the need for a standing Army. The mainland could easily be defended from invasion by a militia.
Patroon on 26 Sep 2007 at 7:17 pm #
Pencil head, boy anyone who’s looked at Brookheiser lately could say the same thing. Hey Rich, Jeffery Hart thinks you’ve sold out to the neocons.
At least Brookheiser will engage in the debate and admits the modern state needs the military industrial complex, even if that complex couldn’t stop 9-11 from happening. Maybe I would agree with him if there wasn’t that little documanet call the Constitution which renders the military-industrial complex as illegal.
You remember the Constitution don’t you Rich you professor of American history? What’s that? The modern states doesn’t require the Constitution anymore? Boy you and the “organic menaing” liberals have more in common that you realize or admit to realize.
Andrew T. on 26 Sep 2007 at 7:37 pm #
In the western modern context, the term “liberal” refers to a pseudo-Marxist. “Neoconservatives”, particularly the founders of the ideology, were former Marxists. Connect the dots indeed.
roho on 27 Sep 2007 at 2:32 pm #
Brookhiser like all “Straussians” feels that the world should stay in a constant state of revolution. And the Military Industrial Complex should be available like any other product for exportation. Unfortunately, if all of our manufacturing base is offshore, it will be most difficult to gear-up for a legitemate war that may some day be of real significance to America. I can’t see the return to pre Reagan military strength, but “Walking softly and carrying a big stick” is a good old policy. With 5-6 globalists on the GOP ticket, Neocons need to attack Paul in order for Israel to continue to control our middleast policy.
The American Conservative » Conservative INC. on 06 Feb 2010 at 12:52 am #
[...] being responsible for their mistakes, for others to quit referring to Ron Paul and his supporters as “wicked idiots” and for others to stop peddling “no” as public policy or rehash ideas relevant 30 years [...]