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Posted on 05/10/2025 3:17:17 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
Thomas Sowell on Intellectuals and Socialism – A Summary
Sowell argues that intellectuals are often drawn to socialism due to what he calls the vision of the anointed—a belief in their own moral and intellectual superiority, combined with a desire to reshape society. Their attraction stems from several illusions:
But Sowell warns: their belief in socialism is not just naive—it is doubly naive. First, because central planning doesn’t work. Second, because they believe they will hold power in such a system.
History shows otherwise:
In short, socialism appeals to intellectuals because it promises influence without responsibility. But once power is seized, the very class of thinkers who championed the revolution is often among the first to be crushed by it.
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Intellectuals are obsessed with socialism because they don’t get paid enough. They think that they deserve to be rich.
The phrase “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” means that intellectuals need a lot of money. It’s just class envy.
Anyone who calls himself an “intellectual”, implying that others are not, is a bit full of himself. He tends to believe that he is better at making decisions for others, because the others are too stupid to know what’s best for them. All to make himself feel special.
In other words, satanic pride.
Consequential knowledge. A concept to be explored by all.
And greed.
They never imagine it will them first "up against the wall" because they are perceived as a threat to the revolution.
Read that book. A fundamental text.
I’m convinced that in addition to the above it is that socialism is inherently hierarchical. Socialist elites control everything and do the central planning. Since socialist countries no more allow political competition than economic competition, they don’t have to worry about competing with other political parties to maintain their position. Thus, they have the full power of the state behind them to ensure they’re not made to look like fools or incompetent dunces as can easily happen in a free market economy - where somebody can come out of nowhere and wipe the floor with them as has happened over and over again.
Socialism = untrammelled power for the elites and tasteless gruel for the masses if they’re lucky enough to get even that.
Socialism also does not take into account human nature. Since sinning before God, human nature has a bent toward selfishness, negativity and evil.
Socialism doesn’t acknowledge this whereas Capitalism does take into account a human’s desire to “feather one’s own nest.”
Socialism/Communism a great way for evil forces to disguise themselves. JMO
The unbounded, ever evolving, hugely complex order of a freedom based system is beyond anyone’s ability to fully understand, no matter how smart they are. A socialist system is much simpler because it is fully prescribed and therefore bounded. That simplicity makes it knowable, which appeals to intellectuals.
“Anyone who calls himself an “intellectual”, implying that others are not, is a bit full of himself.”
If I address someone by their first name and they “correct” me, saying “Doctor so-and-so”, or some other title, I deliver a wry smile, ignore the “correction” and think to myself “what a complete a-hole”.
Exceptions:
1). When I was young, there was a substantial age difference, or I was their young student.
2). In the military, if they were my superior officer (which never happened).
It’s fortunate I was never around kings, queens, popes and such, because there’s no way I’m using their lofty titles.
Another caveat: if I’m referring to someone I actually admire - such as President Trump, I will gladly use their title.
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons”.
The King James vernacular refers to showing favoritism based on social standing. He cares for none of our vein social constructs.
Amen. This is the sin of pride and indeed it goeth before the fall.
You want to see them outed in unison? Just one truth social from President Trump along the lines of Socialism is an evil ideology incompatible with a free people.
MS13NBc would lead the howling.
My nephew who is maybe 30 states he is a Communist. Unknown whether he would really kill people for politics.
What an utterly brilliant summary.
Up there with Irving Janis groupthink summary:
1. Illusions of invulnerability creating excessive optimism and encouraging risk taking.
2. Rationalizing warnings that might challenge the group’s assumptions.
3. Unquestioned belief in the morality of the group, causing members to ignore the consequences of their actions.
4. Stereotyping those who are opposed to the group as weak, evil, biased, spiteful, disfigured, impotent, or stupid.
5. Direct pressure to conform placed on any member who questions the group, couched in terms of “disloyalty”.
6. Self censorship of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus.
7. Illusions of unanimity among group members, silence is viewed as agreement.
8. Mind guards — self-appointed members who shield the group from dissenting information.
• “The goal of socialism is communism” Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov Lenin
Indeed it is. I have it in my library, he understands completely who they are.
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