2024 the best argument against democracy review

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(as of Dec 02, 2024 18:22:08 UTC - Details)

Right around the time of 9/11, state power began to win its age-old race with social power. The evidence described above demonstrates a nation in steady decline, unlikely to be reversed unless its causes, progressivism and its policies and consequences, are reversed. To help accomplish that reversal is the purpose of this book.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cazenovia Books; First Edition (September 16, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0974925381
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0974925387
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.51 x 9 inches
Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Why even his opponents may find this a "must read"
Review: This is a must read.Whatever you think of American politics, it explains why progressives/modern liberals are NOT insane.There is a disturbing tendency to disrespect political opponents and call them "insane" or "crazy" and slap other labels on them. It is obviously not productive of anything except distrust and hysteria. This book looks at the real roots of the progressive ideology... which many progressives are unconscious of as a fish is unconscious of water. The author does not agree with progressivism, he considers it a "dangerous idea", but he does have the background to give a thoughtful look at it and does not disrespect the people he is disagreeing with. In fact, he points out that many of the progressives opponents have (unknowingly) accepted some of their underlying premises.I recommend also Law Legislation and Liberty vol 1, 2, and 3 by F A Heyekand The Constitution of Liberty (same author)Note: Please do not skip the introductory material in the sections before chapter 1. There is information on the historical context, criticisms that have been raised ... even mention of points where his lectures/articles elsewhere were more nuanced than overreaching claims made in the book, and more. You would be missing out if you disregarded the early material before entering the book itself.The above note was directed at Hayek's work, but is valid for other authors on my list as well. "Progressivism" also contains introductory material that will help you gauge the reliability of the author as one capable of giving an honest and thoughtful account of the underlying ideas of people he disagrees with - which even his opponents can learn from.With regard to economics as they intersect with politics these days, some books relating to Economics, Socialism, Marxism etc may be considered useful.There are several transcribed lecture series by Ludwig Von Mises which are more readable than his technical work and provide valuable insights into Socialism and Marxism. The most devastating criticism (raised decades ago) is that rational calculation is impossible without prices, and prices reflective of people's changing technology and priorities do not exist without the free market. A rate set by fiat ( or history set in stone) is not a dynamic source of shifting information in a changing world.The Politically Incorrect Guide to Socialism by Kevin D. Williamson is also a good starting point for people unfamiliar with economics.Prices and Production and The Theory of Money and Credit by Luwig Von Mises are much tougher and require careful and patient study. I admit to taking months to finish and understand The Theory of Money and Credit because I took it slowly and made sure as I could that I was finally "getting it" before moving on...and I thought it was a work of genius when I (finally) did complete it. ( I want to memorize the chapter demolishing the political argument in favor of inflation. :))Development as Freedom by Amartya Sen ... The Nobel Prize was not given as a PR stunt, this author is worth a good look. (He's not the only Nobel prize winner on my list either.)If you are considering sending your children to college, read the following book and make your child(ren) read it before you shell out a penny:Intellectuals and Society by Thomas SowellRather than praise the good that they have done ( you can hear that anywhere) this book looks at the damage inspired by intellectuals... It is perhaps worth remembering that "intellectuals" (he defines the way he uses the term) have always been highly educated ... some of the best and the brightest... and sometimes horrifically wrong. He examines what it is about the profession that disengages some of them from reality... They want to lead us, but are they as qualified as they think they are?

Reviewer: monkuboy
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good arguments against Progressivism but weak on supporting the alternative
Review: Like with so many other things, "Progessives," the subject of Mr. Ostrowski's book, have spun their philosophy from what is a bad idea into one that is seemingly good by using the word progressive, a word with generally positive connotations. It is an outgrowth of "liberalism," for which they did the same thing by perverting the original intent and philosophy behind that movement.So says the author, and he presents his case of how the tenets of Progessivism are destroying this country. My own two cents, I agree with him. He argues that the best use of human resources and true progress is striving for the values of liberalism within the original intent of that word and movement: Everyone has a natural right to self-ownership, the right to own property, and the right to revolt and overthrow any government that infringes upon these natural rights. The current day meaning of liberalism, aka progressivism has been perverted and now is a movement that favors government being charged with solving all problems (which ironically a goodly number they themselves create) and having ultimate power over the people. The author presents excellent arguments and examples to support his case. He also presents a case for why modern day conservatism is no better than liberalism because it, too, relies on big government in charge of everything and he cites the example of how even with the GOP in charge, government just grows and grows.What I find lacking in the material is a scenario of how the original liberalism (which is now called the libertarian approach) would be practically applied to our society today. The simple answer is having a government whose main power is upholding the basic tenets I mentioned above, about rights of ownership of property and oneself, and having a "free market." What I feel interferes with that is human nature.Any philosophy of living and of government has to take human nature into account. While I think people in general desire to be "free' and would agree about the right to ownership of oneself and of property, there is also the element of greed and corruption that is embedded in human nature as well. I believe people are not inherently good. A legitimate function of government is to product people from harm, which includes crimes against themselves and property but as society gets larger and larger, people will call for more and more regulation as abuses and offenses increase in frequency and magnitude. Where is that regulation going to come from? People will call on the government to do it. Lots of people are sheep, too - take a look at how many take the initiative for any given task. Most of the time they will just stand back and look around, waiting for the other person to volunteer. Many want a large government so that they don't have to deal with "problems." Let the government do it. I agree with the author, a bloated government is a hindrance, not a help, but human nature keeps calling for more and more; and the more government supplies, the more they expect.Perhaps in a simple, smaller society then rights to ownership of self and property is something that can be realistically achieved. But as society grows and becomes more complex, the "need" for government to step in and provide answers grows, too. I believe there is far more government than there is need, but human nature being what it is, there will always be those who are corrupt and become more sophisticated at it, which leads to a call for more government to fight it.Anyway, enough editorializing. It's a good book, easy to read and very sensible as it lays out arguments against the progressive philosophy. I fear, however, that the reason this has become so popular is because it takes advantage of the lower side of human nature. I also wish that the author had laid out more concrete examples of how the libertarian (new term for old liberalism) would work in practical terms.

Reviewer: Alessandro Fusillo
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A great book! Clear and independent thinking and a view on modern politics that definitely is not in line with mainstream political correctness. It is especially to be recommended for all those who think of themselves as "liberals" - in the meaning that this word has acquired recently. Take your time and try to look at things differently. Even if you already are a libertarian it will be a great read and a source of good suggestions for further reasearch. What I liked most is the chapter about what has to be done. Don't hesitate to buy it whatever your political opinions.

Reviewer: Peter Twigg
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I am uplifted. I am rejuvenated. I am riveted and can't put the book down. Thank you James Ostrowski for a well written book that clearly outlines the history and dilemma facing ALL liberal democratic countries today. This is a fast paced book that delivers the next concept just as you finish with the last. I highly recommend reading this book to find the reasons why our way of life is dying before our very eyes and how to respond to the real crisis of our times.

Reviewer: Angelo Barbato
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A very good imformative book about progressive thinking.

Reviewer: flashman
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A broad but interesting book on the biggest danger affecting western civilisation