| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| The fourth revolution |
| 2012-06-09 |
| h/t Instapundit The United States has been shaped by three far-reaching political revolutions: Thomas Jefferson’s “revolution of 1800,” the Civil War, and the New Deal. Each of these upheavals concluded with lasting institutional and cultural adjustments that set the stage for new phases of political and economic development. Are we on the verge of a new upheaval, a “fourth revolution” that will reshape U.S. politics for decades to come? There are signs to suggest that we are. In fact, we may already be in the early stages of this twenty-first-century revolution. ...Notwithstanding its reputation for stability and continuity, the U.S. political system seems to resolve its deepest problems in relatively brief periods of intense and potentially destabilizing conflict. These events are what some historians have called our “surrogates for revolution” because, rather than overthrowing the constitutional order, they adjust it to developing circumstances. ...The question today, then, is whether or not the party system formed in the 1930s and 1940s is about to exhaust itself in a new upheaval that will lead to some new political alignment around a new constellation of issues. There is little doubt that many of the political signs present in earlier upheavals are increasingly in play today. |
| Posted by:g(r)omgoru |
| #7 There are many other ways in the Universe to conduct business. The old order is going to dissipate one way or another. |
| Posted by: newc 2012-06-09 15:51 |
| #6 I can see a third party of sane libertarians ripped out of both parties. If such a party replaced dems all would be good. If it replaced repubs we might not see much difference. |
| Posted by: Rjschwarz 2012-06-09 15:38 |
| #5 IIRC, the New Deal began at a point in US history where all US banks had closed. THAT seemed to eliminate 'political inertia' rather quickly. There are many possible outcomes of the world economic crisis that might accomplish a similar feat. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2012-06-09 11:59 |
| #4 There is a chance we could have a fourth revolution. Besides having a two-party system (or 1-1/2 party system) there is much inertia to overcome there are lobbyists and special interest groups. Public sector unions have a strangle-hold on state governments and have usurped citizen votes. There are about as many taxpayers and tax users. That said, there is hope and movements in the direction of a 4th revolution. It may be at a nascent point. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2012-06-09 11:47 |
| #3 The point of the article is that we're not a two-party system, we're a one and a half party system: the minority party has to go along and allow itself to be co-opted (see also, 'RINO'). The Democrats have pretty much called how our society will be organized from 1932 to the present day, Reagan not withstanding. Before that it was the Republicans from about 1860, and the Democrats from about 1800. So if we're going to have a 'fourth revolution', not only would the Republicans have a long-term ascendency and have its agenda broadly implemented in our society, but the Democrats would become the co-opted party. We'd start to hear about 'DINOs', and 'Blue Dogs' would run that party. It could happen, I suppose, and the writer points out that these revolutions have occurred over short periods of time. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2012-06-09 11:18 |
| #2 There is a great deal of deliberately built-in inertia in the political system. We are a two-party system. Committee structures, committee leadership, Congressional perks, seniority, all are designed to keep things the way they are for a long time. Popular movements such as the teaparty take a long time to change things through the election process. I say they are "popular" but they tend to be hated by the leadership of both parties. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2012-06-09 10:41 |
| #1 Are we on the verge of a new upheaval, a "fourth revolution" Yes, I believe we are. It will take a |
| Posted by: Besoeker in New Harmony 2012-06-09 07:23 |