Philosopher Susan Neiman: "The president of our country is evil"

[DonViejo]

Author of “Evil in Modern Thought” says progressives must not shun the concept, especially when it fits so well

CHAUNCEY DEVEGA
09.19.2017•8:59 AM EDT

Political scientists often focus their research on institutions, behavior, public opinion and political culture. The study of political institutions helps us to understand the context and rules that influence how elected officials, other representatives and bureaucrats behave. Political behavior includes voting and social movements, which together impact the levers of power and decision-making in a democracy. The study of public opinion provides a barometer for the public's mood and how they feel about a given social or political issue. And political culture is one of the primary ways by which citizens and other members of a society are socialized into its values, norms, and rules.

Journalists and pundits spend their time trying to craft narratives about society. As has often been said, they are focused on the "new" in the "news" and the events that move the 24/7 news cycle forward.

At its best, in a democracy the Fourth Estate provides a check on power by holding elected officials and others accountable to the people. At its worst, the Fourth Estate is a vehicle for propaganda, succumbing and kowtowing to power -- and profit -- instead of speaking truth to it and serving the public.

The average American is relatively unsophisticated in terms of political knowledge and cares about politics only to the degree it impacts his or her immediate lives. Moreover, Americans' decisions about politics are based on a deep tribalism in which supporting "their team" -- and this is especially true of Republicans and conservatives -- is more important than civic virtue, the Common Good or rational decision-making. This is poisonous to a democracy.

more
http://www.salon.com/2017/09/19/philosopher-susan-neiman-the-president-of-our-country-is-evil/

[smirkymonkey]

1. K&R

This is especially our problem I think:

"Moreover, Americans' decisions about politics are based on a deep tribalism in which supporting "their team" -- and this is especially true of Republicans and conservatives -- is more important than civic virtue, the Common Good or rational decision-making. This is poisonous to a democracy."

[Duppers]

4. I agree. +100

Last edited Tue Sep 19, 2017, 01:33 PM - Edit history (1)

I think Republicans are victims of a cultural psychosis (a fancy way of saying they're ingrained bigots?). Or culture-bound syndrome?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture-bound_syndrome

And, besides being group-thinking FoxBots, on a personal level, I've never found one who easily admits any personal flaws or mistakes. In general, they just seem to be defensive, closed-minded people.

Am I sounding like a smug liberal? You remember the #1 thing rethugs say they hate about us? Our smugness.

[Achilleaze]

2. Yes, and evil is apparently a core republican "family value"

As they have demonstrated by illegitimately, in collusion with evil-empire* russia, raising up the evil Comrade Casino as their very own ignoble Draft-Dodger-in-Chief, and republican "family-values" role model. Definitely deplorable.

* per ronald freakin reagan

[dogman]

11. This is what many seem to overlook, the GOP is evil.

I wish those preaching bi-partisanship could acknowledge this.

[pangaia]

15. Was it really necessary to post that photo?

I feel the same way about everybody who does the same, not just raggin' on you.

But, it is really psychologically destructive to even THINK of trump, to say nothing of seeing him.

Unfortunately we have to think about him to save ourselves. It would be nice if we didn't have to see him also.

Other than that,

RESIST on...

[gordianot]

3. Evil however you define it, he is sickening.

[calimary]

6. And embarrassing, too.

[MFM008]

8. And repulsive

[defacto7]

5. K&R

[Madam45for2923]

7. Which was obvious pre-election and which made this election so important.

0. Philosopher Susan Neiman: "The president of our country is evil"

Author of “Evil in Modern Thought” says progressives must not shun the concept, especially when it fits so well

CHAUNCEY DEVEGA
09.19.2017•8:59 AM EDT

Political scientists often focus their research on institutions, behavior, public opinion and political culture. The study of political institutions helps us to understand the context and rules that influence how elected officials, other representatives and bureaucrats behave. Political behavior includes voting and social movements, which together impact the levers of power and decision-making in a democracy. The study of public opinion provides a barometer for the public's mood and how they feel about a given social or political issue. And political culture is one of the primary ways by which citizens and other members of a society are socialized into its values, norms, and rules.

Journalists and pundits spend their time trying to craft narratives about society. As has often been said, they are focused on the "new" in the "news" and the events that move the 24/7 news cycle forward.

At its best, in a democracy the Fourth Estate provides a check on power by holding elected officials and others accountable to the people. At its worst, the Fourth Estate is a vehicle for propaganda, succumbing and kowtowing to power -- and profit -- instead of speaking truth to it and serving the public.

The average American is relatively unsophisticated in terms of political knowledge and cares about politics only to the degree it impacts his or her immediate lives. Moreover, Americans' decisions about politics are based on a deep tribalism in which supporting "their team" -- and this is especially true of Republicans and conservatives -- is more important than civic virtue, the Common Good or rational decision-making. This is poisonous to a democracy.

more
http://www.salon.com/2017/09/19/philosopher-susan-neiman-the-president-of-our-country-is-evil/

[ProudProgressiveNow]

9. +1000 nt

[Cryptoad]

10. GOP: Laregest Organized Group of Bigots and Hate Mongers in the USA!

Been Hollowing this since 1980's.... glad to see more more PC Liberals finally coming around to seeing this!

[yallerdawg]

12. It's never just one evil man.

Trump's voters wanted to hurt those Americans they see as the Other. Consequently, they are complicit with his deeds and the harm he is causing to people. Am I being unfair?

...It is fair to say that some of the architects of fascism had straightforwardly evil intentions. But they would never have been able to realize them without millions of ordinary people, many of whom were quite decent in other ways, who went along for one reason or another and thus enabled fascism to take hold. At this historical moment it is crucial to remember that Hitler was democratically elected and then went on to destroy German democratic institutions. It was banal. I do not think your historical allusion is the least bit unfair. We are in dire straits, and those who do not realize it are indeed complicit.

[SunSeeker]

13. Yes. He is the embodiment of everything evil in America. nt

[niyad]

14. k and r and bookmarking

[barbtries]

17. those last 2 sentences

it was an epiphany to me to realize that many people are republican before they are human, man or woman, parent, friend, patriot, you name it.

i'm still wrapping my head around that. but we are all experiencing the poisoning of our democracy that is in part explained by that.