Declan Mansfield in, 'Do You Sense The Storm That Is Coming? ', Quadrant Online 25/7/23, writes of a storm arising from "human frustration". He believes the storm will "instigate a revolution" unless we reform the politics and philosophy of the "moralising, hectoring class".

Mansfield believes that ordinary people are "sick of being told what they can say, think and believe". And what language they may use to articulate their understanding of the world. They are expected to self-censor - not allowed to use truthful and accurate language.

The still developing storm, Mansfield believes, has been coming since the "once in a hundred years" confluence of several separate philosophies:

. Socialism
. Environmentalism
. Feminism
. Postmodernism

The latest sickness, transgenderism, could be added.

These things together have created an "intolerant establishment that is anti-democratic in theory and practice".

Institutions have been captured, and the philosophy is weighted in favour of 'progressives', "who shout epithets to silence dissent", described by the author as a "top down inquisition" hamstringing critics of progressive ideology before they speak.

Socialist propaganda has been so successful, writes Declan Mansfield, that people who don't identify as Socialists themselves, regularly repeat commonplace Socialist lies.

And, lies they are. Trotsky argued that lying in the cause of proletarian revolution was not lying. The same view appears to guide modern Socialists, as they strive "to overthrow capitalism and liberal democracy".

The Voice gets a serve from Mansfield: lies about colonial oppression; the truth of historical evidence replaced with mythology.

The science of male and female differences is rejected in favour of ideology.

The difference in wealth between capitalist countries and the others is ignored. There is a "smug refusal to listen".

Plenty of reasons for a 'storm' or a 'revolution'. But, I don't see it happening in Australia, given the complacency and willing acceptance of the worst abuse of freedoms outside Communist China during the Covid hysteria. And, we can't "reform the politics" with our voting system.

Ttbn- I'll have to check out the article from Quadrant. Thanks and kudos.

CM

Good idea. It's not easy to review an article in 300 words.

THE IRON LAW OF OLIGARCHY

The 'Iron law of oligarchy' is a social thesis that says all organisations, including those committed to democratic ideals and practices will inevitably succumb to rule by an elite few (an oligarchy); people with 'superior' knowledge, skills and status. The theory also contends that organised democracy is an oxymoron.

The oligarchy is actually supported by the rank and file because they crave guidance and they worship their leaders.

There would seem to be a defence against oligarchical rule if the hoi polloi has the financial status, the education and the political competence to stand up to the oligarchs.

However, for Australia, this might not apply, given the increasing gap between the super-rich and the rest financially; the dumbing down of education, and the blatant brainwashing in schools and universities by these 'superior' people. Add the fact that the superior people are not our self-serving incompetent politicians, over whom we have some control, but hidden bureaucrats over whom we have no control, plus virtue-signalling CEOs of Big Business.