Idealists who 'temporarily' associate with thugs to bring down the existing order don't realize until it's too late that once the "revolution" is accomplished, the first thing that happens is the idealists are wiped out by the thugs, because they are no longer useful.
Another very dangerous and popular assumption [based on dialectical materialism] is that once civilization collapses, a new, improved paradigm will inevitably rise from the ashes. History has shown that what what actually happens is there a long period of darkness characterized at first by utter chaos, then roving gangs fighting over bones, rags and rubble. Finally the faction with the most weapons -- and most willingness to use them -- takes over and establishes order with an iron fist.
Once that happens, the new tyrannical paradigm becomes ossified for centuries to come; the only thing that changes are the dynasties. And each succeeding one is often more ruthless than the previous.
--Hermann Goering at the Nuremberg Trials
8. Sometimes Making Concessions Leads To Rebellion
Jimmy Carter pressured the Shah of Iran to release political prisoners, including Khomeni. We know how that turned out.
Someday, someone will write a thoughtful dystopian novel. Or maybe it's too difficult. Which is why time is better spent studying real history.
After the revolution was successful, Fidel Castro eliminated the idealists because, in addition to being no longer useful, they also became a dangerous liability...to him.
Ping.
She obviously never read the entire HungerGames triology, which addresses most of these problems.
Ditto for the Divergent series, part 2 and 3.
only adults think utopia exists.
and the problem of PTSS is addressed in the Hunger games 3...
Excellent article.
Writers of fiction could do a lot worse than to model their works after real events.
Or one could write a historical novel of course, if one is up to the research. Tolstoy did, most likely, the best possible job in this regard.
In terms of science fiction I do suggest that people lay off the Belisarius theme. Its been done to death.
once the “revolution” is accomplished, the first thing that happens is the idealists are wiped out by the thugs, because they are no longer useful.
2. Defeat your enemy.
3. Become your enemy.
bkmk
“The idea that the Civil War was fought over “states’ rights” and not slavery resulted from a sort of PR campaign that began only fifteen years after the end of the war”
Bullshit, you ignorant POS.
“The Confederacy was formed to ensure the continuation of slavery”
Slavery was only one issue. States’ rights and unfair taxation were also. The north winning ensured that federal rights trumped states’ rights and led to the bloated megalomaniac government we have today.
Best article of the week, the month, maybe even the year.