The potent influences of anger and fear in politics can serve to separate us, deter us from engaging in challenging dialogues, and hinder our advances on crucial matters. It’s essential that we acknowledge the strength of these emotions and strive towards constructing an improved society. This can be achieved by identifying methods — based on facts, evidence, and truth, rather than emotions or personal beliefs — to reconcile our disparities and cultivate mutual comprehension in polarizing issues, such as:
- Gun Control: This issue has consistently been a contentious point between conservatives, who often advocate for minimal restrictions on gun rights, and progressives, who generally favor more comprehensive gun control measures Pew Research Center.
- Reproductive Rights: This is another area where there are sharp differences. Progressives typically support access to safe and legal abortion and other reproductive health services, while conservatives tend to oppose abortion and favor more restrictions Pew Research Center.
- Wokeness: The concept of wokeness, tied to an awareness of social and political injustices, aligns more closely with progressive values. However, it’s often critiqued by conservatives as being overly sensitive or unnecessarily divisive ABC News.
- Climate Change: Progressives generally view climate change as a serious threat and advocate for strong government action to combat it. Conservatives often express skepticism about the severity of climate change or oppose extensive government intervention Pew Research Center.
- Healthcare: Progressives typically support a larger role for government in providing healthcare, such as a single-payer system. Conservatives usually favor a free-market approach to healthcare Brookings.
- Immigration: This is another highly polarizing issue, with progressives generally favoring more inclusive immigration policies and conservatives often advocating for stricter immigration control Pew Research Center.
This ranking is not absolute and can vary over time and across different regions or demographics within the US. Furthermore, there’s a range of views within both the conservative and progressive camps on each of these issues. Therefore, a nuanced understanding of truth — one that takes into account context, interpretation, and the potential for different perspectives — would be needed.
By bridging the gaps that exist among us and fostering meaningful exchanges, we can transcend the confines of anger and fear, thereby building a more fair and just world. However, it is imperative that we denounce any ideology that fuels these negative emotions as detrimental to societal harmony.
MAGA: Make America Great Again
The Cult
Steve Bannon is often considered one of the key ideologues of MAGA Trumpism. As a former chief strategist for President Trump and executive chairman of Breitbart News, he played a significant role in shaping the populist, nationalist agenda that has come to define Trumpism.
Here are some of the main tenets associated with Bannon:
- Nationalism: Bannon is a known advocate for American nationalism. He believes in prioritizing American interests and argues for policies that protect American industries and jobs.
- Populism: Bannon’s ideology includes a distrust of elites and established institutions. He champions the rights and interests of the ‘common people’, often positioning them against a perceived out-of-touch elite.
- Economic Protectionism: Bannon advocates for policies that protect American industries from foreign competition. This includes support for tariffs and other trade barriers.
- Immigration Control: A key part of Bannon’s ideology involves stricter immigration policies. He argues that mass immigration can undermine national identity and economic stability.
- Theory of Cycles in History. Steve Bannon’s belief in the Theory of Cycles in History, as influenced by “The Fourth Turning” by William Strauss and Neil Howe, is based on the idea that history moves in cycles of about 80-100 years, each cycle consisting of four ‘turnings’: High, Awakening, Unraveling, and Crisis.
Bannon’s sources are diverse, drawing from various political and philosophical traditions. He is known to be an avid reader and often cites a wide range of authors and works in his speeches and writings, including everything from ancient Greek and Roman texts to contemporary political and economic analyses.
Interestingly, the theory of 20-year cycles in history would correspond to the 20-year synodic cycle of Jupiter and Saturn.
In Richard Tarnas’ book “Cosmos and Psyche”, he explores archetypal cosmology, which is a post-Jungian elaboration of the form of depth psychology that was initiated by Carl Gustav Jung’s theory of archetypes. Tarnas uses archetypal cosmology to explore how cosmic patterns (such as the movements of planets) might provide narratives of meaningful coincidences related to human affairs.
Within the framework of archetypal cosmology, the 20-year synodic cycle of Jupiter and Saturn is viewed as a pivotal time for societal evolution. The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, which happens every 20 years, can be meaningfully correlated to shifts in cultural, political, and economic landscapes. These periods are characterized by significant transitions and transformations in society.
In the book, Tarnas presents numerous historical examples tied to archetypal cosmology, including the Jupiter and Saturn cycle. He also discusses the conjunction of other planets, such as Saturn and Pluto, and their potential meaningful correlation with societal events.
According to the Theory of Cycles, history moves in cycles of:
- High: This is a period of prosperity and strength where a new social, economic, and political order is established.
- Awakening: This is a period where people start pushing against the established order, leading to cultural and spiritual change.
- Unraveling: This is a period of growing individualism and weakening social structure.
- Crisis: This is a period of upheaval and possible destruction where the old social order is replaced by a new one.
Bannon, influenced by this theory, believes that America is currently in the ‘Crisis’ period of its cycle. He sees signs of this crisis in various societal trends, including economic inequality, political polarization, and the rise of populist movements. Bannon believes that the current societal tensions would escalate into a full-blown conflict, another Civil War, out of which the MAGA ideology would emerge triumphant by the rule of the minority. Therefore, the more chaotic the course of events, the better, such as promoting the current chaos in the House of the People of the Dis-United States of America.
According to Nate Cohen (NYT), the Republican party has evolved significantly over the past eight years, moving away from the Ronald Reagan’s three-legged stool of religious right, fiscal conservatives, and neoconservative hawks. The party is not entirely a populist conservative MAGA monolith either, with only 37% of Republicans being part of Trump’s loyal base.
The Right Wing represents about 28% of Republicans. This group is comprised of very conservative individuals who frequently view Fox News or Newsmax. They strongly believe that America is on the brink of catastrophe and are ardent supporters of Donald Trump. They favor strict immigration rules and conservative social policies.
Blue Collar Populists account for approximately 12% of Republicans. This group is mainly located in the North, holds socially moderate views, but is economically populist with deeply conservative perspectives on race and immigration. Like the Right Wing, they are strong supporters of Mr. Trump and share his pessimistic outlook on the country’s direction.
Based on a New York Times/Siena College poll, the Republican party today can be divided into six groups:
- Moderate Establishment (14%): These members are typically highly educated and affluent, with socially moderate or even liberal views.
- Traditional Conservatives (26%): This group is extremely conservative across all issues, including economics, foreign policy, and social issues. They are the most loyal to the party and its traditional values. Despite their conservative leanings, this group is not as fervent in their support for Trump as some other segments of the Republican Party. They may disagree with Trump on certain issues, but they largely see him as a better alternative to Democratic candidates. In terms of demographics, Traditional Conservatives are often older and more likely to be white compared to the general population. They also tend to be more religious and are more likely to be from rural areas.
- Right Wing (26%): Very conservative, disproportionately evangelical, believe America is on the brink of catastrophe, and are fervent Trump supporters. These individuals are typically very conservative, watch outlets like Fox News and Newsmax, and believe that America is on the brink of catastrophe. They are disproportionately evangelical and have a strong loyalty to Donald Trump. Furthermore, they are skeptical of climate change and generally oppose government intervention in the economy.
- Blue Collar Populists (12%): This group is predominantly located in the North and holds socially moderate views. They also share former President Donald Trump’s highly pessimistic view of the country’s direction. Blue Collar Populists tend to be working class, often without a college degree. They are more likely to be affected by economic changes, such as job losses due to automation or globalization. As a result, they often support populist economic policies aimed at protecting American jobs and industries.
- Libertarian Conservatives (14%): Disproportionately Western and Midwestern conservatives who value small government, are socially moderate, isolationist, and show lower levels of Trump support. They often differ from other Republicans in their more moderate views on social issues, such as drug legalization and same-sex marriage. Interestingly, Libertarian Conservatives show less support for Donald Trump compared to other Republican factions. This could indicate a preference for politicians who embody their specific blend of fiscal conservatism and social moderation. On policy, Libertarian Conservatives generally oppose government intervention in the economy. They are likely to support tax cuts, deregulation, and free trade agreements. At the same time, they may be more open to immigration and less hawkish on foreign policy than other Republican groups. Their political stances can sometimes put them at odds with the party’s more traditionally conservative or populist factions.
- Newcomers (8%): They are a younger, more diverse group compared to other Republican factions. They display a notable dissatisfaction with the state of the country and hold moderate views, often opposing the “woke” left. This group is not conservative in the traditional sense but leans Republican. On social issues, the Newcomers are more progressive. Their unique blend of moderate and progressive views, combined with their youth and diversity, may influence the direction of the Republican Party in years to come.
Trump’s dominance of the Republican Party is based on an alliance between the Right Wing and Blue-Collar Populists, which represent nearly 40% of Republicans and about two-thirds of Trump’s MAGA base. Therefore, the majority of Republicans don’t align with the extreme viewpoints often associated with the MAGA movement. However, when presented with a binary choice, most would still choose to support Trump.
The rise of Nazism in Germany was significantly influenced by a pervasive sense of anger and fear among the populace, which was exploited by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Here’s how:
- Treaty of Versailles: After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany. Many Germans were angry about what they saw as an unfair treaty, creating a fertile ground for extremist ideologies like Nazism Britannica.
- Economic Hardship: The Great Depression in the 1930s led to massive unemployment and economic hardships, causing widespread fear and uncertainty. The Nazis capitalized on this fear, promising economic stability and jobs BBC.
- Political Instability: The Weimar Republic, the democratic government established in Germany post-WWI, was seen as weak and ineffective. Fear of political instability and a return to war also played into the hands of the Nazis, who promised strong leadership and national unity United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
- Fear of Communism: The Nazis exploited the fear of Bolshevism and the spread of communism, positioning themselves as the bulwark against this perceived threat. This fear was particularly potent among middle and upper-class Germans Facing History and Ourselves.
- Anti-Semitism: Hitler and the Nazis stoked existing anti-Semitic sentiments, blaming Jews for Germany’s problems. This manipulation of fear and anger towards a scapegoat unified certain segments of the population and helped solidify Nazi power United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
- Nationalism and Racial Superiority: The Nazis propagated the idea of Aryan racial superiority and German nationalistic pride. They capitalized on anger over perceived humiliation from WWI and fear of losing national identity BBC.
In summary, the Nazis effectively manipulated and exploited the anger, fear, and desperation felt by many Germans during this period to rise to power.
God grant, therefore, that those Germans who have vision may join the forces of those who are seeking to free Germany and the German people from the imposed tyranny of the evil Lodge, working through their seven representatives in Germany. Once the Germans who are living free lives in other lands can think in terms of humanity as a whole and not in terms of national glamours, revenge or self-pity, then their voices will be added to those of the other free peoples and to those of the aspirants and disciples in all other nations. – EOH 302
The cause of the widespread cruelty, terror, murder and agony rests squarely on the shoulders of the seven men in Germany. – EOH 326
You ask who these seven are: Hitler, von Ribbentrop, Goebbels, Goering, Hess, Himmler and Streicher—names well-known to you all. -EOH 258
The Externalisation of the Hierarchy (EOH) by Alice A. Bailey
[Nate Cohn, NYT] More than 20 million people with a college degree voted for Donald J. Trump in 2020. In our last New York Times/Siena College poll, 13 percent of likely Republican primary voters were self-identified moderates or liberals with a college degree.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
George Santayana
Q: How would a post truth world enable the fall of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism?
R: In a “post-truth” world, where objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than emotional appeals and personal beliefs, the potential for the erosion of democratic principles and the rise of authoritarianism is significant. Here’s how:
- Undermining Trust in Institutions: Post-truth politics can lead to a decline in trust in key democratic institutions such as the media, judiciary, and electoral systems by constantly questioning their legitimacy and spreading misinformation. This can create a power vacuum that authoritarian leaders might exploit Sage Journals.
- Manipulation of Public Opinion: In a post-truth environment, leaders can manipulate public opinion more easily by appealing to emotions, biases, and prejudices rather than relying on factual accuracy. This can enable authoritarians to consolidate power by exploiting fears and divisions E-IR.
- Creation of Alternative Realities: Post-truth politics allows for the creation of alternative realities where false information is presented as truth. This can be used by authoritarian regimes to control the narrative and suppress dissent Redalyc.
- Erosion of Democratic Discourse: Post-truth politics can erode meaningful democratic discourse by replacing fact-based debates with emotionally charged rhetoric. This can stifle critical thinking and informed decision-making, elements crucial to a thriving democracy Degruter.
- Exploitation of Uncertainty: The ambiguity and uncertainty inherent in a post-truth environment can be exploited by authoritarian leaders to present themselves as the only source of stability and order, even if this involves curtailing freedoms and democratic processes Niskanen Center.
To sum up, a post-truth world can undermine the foundations of democracy – trust in institutions, informed citizenry, and robust, fact-based discourse – creating conditions that will enable the rise of authoritarianism.
Yet, we also stand on the promise of an alternate future filled with growth, optimism, and abundance. This new era would be characterized by the rule of the ageless wisdom, the exploration of new frontiers, and the fulfilment of the Four Freedoms, balanced with self-discipline, social responsibility, and long-term planning.
The critical question remains – which path will humanity decide to tread? Back to materialism, or forward to the rise of a New Civilization?
In 2020, a significant shift occurred in the 20-year synodic cycle of Jupiter and Saturn. This event is often referred to as the “Great Conjunction” or the “Great Mutation.” What made the 2020 Great Conjunction particularly noteworthy was the transition from Earth signs to Air signs, marking the beginning of a new epoch.
The conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn have occurred in Earth signs (Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo) for approximately the last 200 years. This period was characterized by an emphasis on material growth, industrial development, and the exploitation of natural resources.
However, in December 2020, the Great Conjunction took place in Aquarius, an Air sign. This marked the start of a new 200-year cycle during which all the 20-year Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions will occur in Air signs (Aquarius, Gemini, Libra).
The shift from Earth to Air is seen by many archetypal cosmologists as indicative of significant changes in societal focus and development. The Earth cycle is often associated with materialism, tangible assets, and practical concerns, whereas the Air cycle is linked with intellect, information, technology, and social ideals. This shift suggests a collective movement from a focus on the material and industrial world towards a greater emphasis on intuitive development (Agni Yoga), spiritual techniques (Practice of the Presence) , communication (Telepathy) , and social progress (Laws and Principles of the New Age).
In essence, the 2020 Great Conjunction may have signaled the ushering in of a New Civilization, characterized by the qualities archetypally associated with Air signs.
Laws and Principles of the New Civilization
The Law of Right Human Relations is a fundamental concept that calls for respect, understanding, and harmonious relations between individuals. It breeds the idea that every human being has inherent worth and dignity, and it is our collective responsibility to uphold these values in all our interactions. This law is pivotal for fostering a world that is free from prejudice, discrimination and conflict.
The Principle of Goodwill embodies the concept of benevolence, kindness, and a genuine desire to promote the well-being of others. It is more than mere philanthropy; it is an attitude, a way of life that encourages positive actions aimed at improving the social fabric of humanity.
The Law of Group Endeavor advocates for the power of collective action. It emphasizes that when we unite and work towards a common goal, we can achieve far more than what is possible individually. This law is a testament to the strength of unity and shared effort.
The Principle of Unanimity underlines the importance of consensus. It doesn’t imply uniformity of thought but rather a collective agreement on a shared vision or objective. It encourages dialogue, collaboration, and decision-making processes that honor everyone’s voice.
The Law of Spiritual Approach refers to the pursuit of spiritual growth and enlightenment. It emphasizes that the journey towards higher consciousness requires sincere effort, discipline, and a dedicated approach. This law outlines the path towards self-discovery and spiritual development.
The Principle of Essential Divinity acknowledges the divine spark present within each of us. It suggests that every individual carries a piece of the divine, thus implying an inherent goodness and sacred value in all of us. This principle seeks to inspire respect for all life forms and promotes a sense of interconnectedness.
These principles and laws strive to foster a world that is united, respectful, enlightened, and works towards the common good. Understanding and practicing these principles contribute to creating a harmonious and spiritually enriched society.
