Also from MRJ (illustrating that “Democracy” is a tool of Oligarchy – which is more self-evident today than ever):
“DEMOCRACY: it is controlled by capitalist ownership and control of the media, grants from tax-free foundations and favoured press coverage for favoured political candidates. Wide franchise to vote is given to the people to make them easier to control by making them think that “the people” are responsible for the inevitable distortions and negative consequences of the policies the super-rich mattoids impose in order to serve their selfish interests. Democracy separates authority from responsibility, this making it virtually impossible for the voters to reform the system. Those in authority (the mattoids) have no responsibility. Those responsible (the politicians) have no authority except that which is lent to them by their controllers.“
Source:
W. A. Carto. May 20, 2003 in “Populism vs Plutocracy: The Universal Struggle” and cited in ”Publisher’s Note” in “The Third Rome: Holy Russia, Tsarism and Orthodoxy” by Matthew Raphael Johnson (first published 2003 – Third Edition 2010)
Great discussion – I listened quite opportunistically.
Several thoughts were triggered. Here is one theme:
[***my emphasis***]
“By far the most interesting fact I hear about the Chinese is one on which we cannot arrive at clearness, but which excites endless curiosity even in the dim state: this namely, that they do attempt to make their Men of Letters their Governors! […] ***There does seem to be, all over China, a more or less active search everywhere to discover the men of talent that grow up in the young generation. […] The youths who distinguish themselves in the lower school are promoted into favorable stations in the higher, that they may still more distinguish themselves,- forward and forward: it appears to be out of these that the Official Persons, and incipient Governors, are taken.***”
[…]
“These are they whom they try first, whether they can govern or not. And surely with the best hope: for they are the men that have already shown intellect. Try them: they have not governed or administered as yet; perhaps they cannot; but there is no doubt they have some Understanding,--without which no man can! Neither is Understanding a tool, as we are too apt to figure; "it is a hand which can handle any tool." Try these men: they are of all others the best worth trying.--Surely there is no kind of government, constitution, revolution, social apparatus or arrangement, that I know of in this world, so promising to one's scientific curiosity as this. The man of intellect at the top of affairs: this is the aim of all constitutions and revolutions, if they have any aim. ***For the man of true intellect, as I assert and believe always, is the noble-hearted man withal, the true, just, humane and valiant man.***> Get him for governor, all is got; fail to get him, though you had Constitutions plentiful as blackberries, and a Parliament in every village, there is nothing yet got!—"
That was written in 1840 by Thomas Carlyle in “Heroes and Hero Worship - all 6 Lectures” - Chapter 5 “Hero as Man of Letters” (published in 1841).
The British Empire both set out to use opium to break down the Qing Empire, which was more powerful, while at the same time modelling the British Civil Service on the Chinese keju civil service system which was the best in the world in the 18th century. Britain did not have a civil service like China or Turkey, but needed it to run an empire. See my article The Third Opium War for the current implications
Another thought bubble … for your archives\
• The Superiority of Monarchy - Matthew Raphael Johnson - ИСХС-NIKA (formerly “Invincible Orthodoxy”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpW0UBHggxU&list=PLPPNay9z7eEofzPNWe_cex5xn0XOQDrqJ
(enjoy the playlist as you please)
Also from MRJ (illustrating that “Democracy” is a tool of Oligarchy – which is more self-evident today than ever):
“DEMOCRACY: it is controlled by capitalist ownership and control of the media, grants from tax-free foundations and favoured press coverage for favoured political candidates. Wide franchise to vote is given to the people to make them easier to control by making them think that “the people” are responsible for the inevitable distortions and negative consequences of the policies the super-rich mattoids impose in order to serve their selfish interests. Democracy separates authority from responsibility, this making it virtually impossible for the voters to reform the system. Those in authority (the mattoids) have no responsibility. Those responsible (the politicians) have no authority except that which is lent to them by their controllers.“
Source:
W. A. Carto. May 20, 2003 in “Populism vs Plutocracy: The Universal Struggle” and cited in ”Publisher’s Note” in “The Third Rome: Holy Russia, Tsarism and Orthodoxy” by Matthew Raphael Johnson (first published 2003 – Third Edition 2010)
Great discussion – I listened quite opportunistically.
Several thoughts were triggered. Here is one theme:
[***my emphasis***]
“By far the most interesting fact I hear about the Chinese is one on which we cannot arrive at clearness, but which excites endless curiosity even in the dim state: this namely, that they do attempt to make their Men of Letters their Governors! […] ***There does seem to be, all over China, a more or less active search everywhere to discover the men of talent that grow up in the young generation. […] The youths who distinguish themselves in the lower school are promoted into favorable stations in the higher, that they may still more distinguish themselves,- forward and forward: it appears to be out of these that the Official Persons, and incipient Governors, are taken.***”
[…]
“These are they whom they try first, whether they can govern or not. And surely with the best hope: for they are the men that have already shown intellect. Try them: they have not governed or administered as yet; perhaps they cannot; but there is no doubt they have some Understanding,--without which no man can! Neither is Understanding a tool, as we are too apt to figure; "it is a hand which can handle any tool." Try these men: they are of all others the best worth trying.--Surely there is no kind of government, constitution, revolution, social apparatus or arrangement, that I know of in this world, so promising to one's scientific curiosity as this. The man of intellect at the top of affairs: this is the aim of all constitutions and revolutions, if they have any aim. ***For the man of true intellect, as I assert and believe always, is the noble-hearted man withal, the true, just, humane and valiant man.***> Get him for governor, all is got; fail to get him, though you had Constitutions plentiful as blackberries, and a Parliament in every village, there is nothing yet got!—"
That was written in 1840 by Thomas Carlyle in “Heroes and Hero Worship - all 6 Lectures” - Chapter 5 “Hero as Man of Letters” (published in 1841).
Jumping ahead to the present
• “How do Chinese leaders get elected?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twKhCqfjffQ
• Selection and election: How China chooses its leaders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgpQxVCekgw
Who would have thought, then, that in 1840 Thomas Carlyle was virtually pre-empting the script of the rise to power of President Xi Jinping?
• Xi Jinping: Scholar in a cave - CGTN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGDm_mWtXmU
and finally, one more topical link
• Eric X. Li: A tale of two political systems – TED Talks July 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0YjL9rZyR0
The British Empire both set out to use opium to break down the Qing Empire, which was more powerful, while at the same time modelling the British Civil Service on the Chinese keju civil service system which was the best in the world in the 18th century. Britain did not have a civil service like China or Turkey, but needed it to run an empire. See my article The Third Opium War for the current implications