Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
Sun Jun 8, 2014, 05:16 PM Jun 2014

Henry Giroux - Authoritarianism and the Future of the Left

http://truth-out.org/news/item/24121-the-specter-of-authoritarianism-and-the-future-of-the-left-an-interview-with-henry-a-giroux

What we have seen in the United States and a number of other countries since the 1970s is the emergence of a savage form of free market fundamentalism, often called neoliberalism, in which there is not only a deep distrust of public values, public goods and public institutions but the embrace of a market ideology that accelerates the power of the financial elite and big business while gutting those formative cultures and institutions necessary for a democracy to survive.

The commanding institutions of society in many countries, including the United States, are now in the hands of powerful corporate interests, the financial elite and right-wing bigots whose strangulating control over politics renders democracy corrupt and dysfunctional. Of course, what is unique about the United States is that the social contract and social wage are subject to a powerful assault by the right-wing politicians and anti-public intellectuals from both political parties. Those public spheres and institutions that support social provisions, the public good and keep public value alive are under sustained attack. Such attacks have not only produced a range of policies that have expanded the misery, suffering and hardships of millions of people, but have also put into place a growing culture of cruelty in which those who suffer the misfortunes of poverty, unemployment, low skill jobs, homelessness and other social problems are the object of both humiliation and scorn.

Neoliberal societies, in general, are in a state of war - a war waged by the financial and political elite against youth, low-income groups, the elderly, poor minorities of color, the unemployed, immigrants and others now considered disposable....
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Henry Giroux - Authoritarianism and the Future of the Left (Original Post) Doctor_J Jun 2014 OP
In the world that the rich want Pakid Jun 2014 #1
But, who "counted" those votes?!?! Do YOU trust those secret black box "counters"?? blkmusclmachine Jun 2014 #2

Pakid

(478 posts)
1. In the world that the rich want
Sun Jun 8, 2014, 05:39 PM
Jun 2014

We work for next to nothing, we have to shop in the company store where the price are so high that they get to own your soul if you want to feed yourself and your family. There is no education, no retirement, no health care and when you are wore out they take you out and dispose of you. The rich people idea of heaven for them is hell for us! You have to wonder why so many fools vote to help the rich send both us and themselves to hell!

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Editorials & Other Articles»Henry Giroux - Authoritar...