Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Success then they are justified as the end justifies the means. Those who think
otherwise harbor nave expectations. Public adulation, the ability to impose personal
preferences on others, and the outward trappings and bluster of success reinforce the
position of a winner.
Critics of Trump point to his business failures, self-contradictory statements, bothersome
personal history, aggression to the point of intimidation, lack of knowledge about issues
in the public realm, and refusal to recognize social contracts with those he might call
losers. In Trump they see a demagogue, a self-promoter, a leader pursuing unfettered
power. Trump fans care little about such issues. In fact, the pursuit of power and
aggression are viewed not as a flaw but the inevitable, natural traits of a winner. Breaking
rules can be interpreted as being a renegade, someone who pushes the envelope, and
contradictory behavior sometimes necessary to win and move forward. The trappings of
success are just desserts that reinforce the social hierarchy.
Two candidates judged by two different standards. One appears to believe in bendable
rules to pursue her understanding of the greater good. The other appears to view rules
as artificial constraints that only delay the appropriate and inevitable ultimate winners
and losers. Two theories, one designed specifically to shape the output of social activity
and the other to explain a biological phenomenon. Mistaking one for the other can be
dangerous.
The Founding Fathers sought a political structure inconsistent with a winner-take-all
mentality. They themselves clearly sought to live on politically to fight another day.
Consistent with Smiths thinking, the Constitution instructs Congress To regulate
Commerce Demagoguery in mainstream politics? Sure. However, history provides
hard lessons on the terrifying effects of social Darwinism.