11. Trump’s Philosopher (V)

I’ve been devoting a fair amount of space to scrutinizing Steve Bannon’s world-view, which might strike my readers as a bit excessive, especially since he seems to be on shaky ground in the White House these days.  But even if Donald Trump turns on him, we’ll still have to take him seriously, since I doubt he’s one to fade quietly into the sunset.  Also, he seems to be doing his sincere best to think like a philosopher, and we should give him some credit for that.

So far, we’ve examined Bannon’s opinions, expressed at a 2014 Vatican confab, in which he yearns for the time when “the Christian faith was predominant;” relies on the “spiritual and moral foundations of Christianity” to ensure the proper functioning of a capitalistic system; espouses “social conservative” movements against abortion and gay marriage; and shows a preoccupation, not to say obsession, with the peril from “jihadist Islamic fascism.”  He blames “secularization” for capitalistic greed and for the hesitance of the “Judeo-Christian West” to confront the infidel.  Very Catholic – almost medieval – suitable for a conference at the Holy See, I guess.

Yet Bannon is ordinarily branded a “nationalist.”  Where’s the evidence for that?  Well, there’s some, but there’s also a problem or two.

Bannon notes that Vladimir Putin has become popular with right-wing European parties because he’s “standing up for traditional institutions” and doing it “in a form of nationalism.”  Many people, he says, “want … sovereignty for their country, they want to see nationalism,” and Bannon associates himself with that point of view – “I happen to think that the individual sovereignty of a country is a good thing.”  Hearkening back to when he “worked at Goldman Sachs,” he recalls that “there are people in New York that feel closer to people in London and in Berlin than they do to people in Kansas and Colorado, and they have more of this elite mentality.”  But “working men and women” in all parts of the world “believe they know what’s best for how they will comport their lives,” and Bannon’s clearly on their side.

Sounds nationalistic, but loose ends are dangling.

First, Bannon’s ringing endorsement of national sovereignty doesn’t exactly jibe with his plea for a Holy War against radical Islam.  The summons to defend the “Judeo-Christian West” is a civilizational appeal, not a nationalist one.  An independent nation-state will have its own special interests and values and – while it’ll resist threats to its unique way of life – it’ll generally want to go its own way.  Bannon, however, calls for an international crusade based – not on concepts of pluralism and freedom – but on an allegedly shared religious tradition, monolithic like its Moslem foe.  Sovereign peoples will be inclined to embrace Bannon’s perspective only if they regard Christian faith as an integral part of their nationhood – an implication I’ve noted previously that plainly excludes non-Christians from the national community.

Bannon tends to equate populism with Christian traditionalism – claiming, for example, that the fight against abortion and gay marriage is winning because “people have a voice.”  He doesn’t consider that there might be significant numbers of people in some countries – such as the United States or the French Republic – who don’t consider their government to be founded on Christianity and don’t want social tenets derived from that religion to be forced on them.  In these nations, an aggressive effort to assert conservative Christian values will only be divisive.

There are several more disconnects in Bannon’s world-view, so many that I don’t have space to do justice to them all.  Thus, there’s no way to square his “Reaganesque” economic preferences – the free market tempered by Christianity – with his nationalism.  He can package laissez-faire as “free-enterprise” or “entrepreneurial” capitalism all he wants, and that sounds very uplifting, but it’s the free flow of capital around the world that, more than anything else, has undermined the democratic nation-state, and thereby reduced the political control that ordinary people have over their own lives.  If national governments wish to resist globalization, this can only be done on the basis of the kind of “corporatist” economic policies that Bannon rejects.

It’s notable that there’s no trace whatever in these 2014 remarks of the economic nationalism that Trump stressed two years later during the campaign, and which he’s (fitfully) tried to implement as President.

Again, Bannon acknowledges that European “center-right” groups “bring a lot of baggage” involving ethnic “tribalism,” but predicts “that will all burn away over time.”  For a putative nationalist to say this is borderline ridiculous.  Nation-states, particularly in Europe, are based on ethnic groups, and to take a nationalistic stance is precisely to assert an ethnic identity.  Nations without an ethnic base do exist – witness the United States – but they’re rare and tend to be unstable.  The most common argument against globalization is that it undermines national customs and traditions, and it’s likely that those kinds of concerns will continue.

There’s more to criticize, but this blog post must end.  I started by calling Bannon a “Christian nationalist,” yet at this point I’m wondering if he deserves the “nationalist” label at all.  His vaunted nationalism seems not compatible with his religiosity and his reactionary economics – and I won’t be surprised if the priorities of fervent Christians and billionaires take precedence in the end.

I see nothing here for a Pagan to like.

# # #

 

41 thoughts on “11. Trump’s Philosopher (V)”

  7. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the
    nail on the head. The issue is an issue that not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about.
    I am very happy I came across this during my hunt for something regarding this.

    Also visit my web blog … Divine Dynamic Keto

  9. After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a
    comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment.
    There has to be a way you are able to remove me from
    that service? Appreciate it! http://shaboxes.com/author/golflawyer17/

  10. Excellent web site. Lots of helpful information here. I
    am sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing
    in delicious. And obviously, thank you to your effort!

    Here is my web blog: Kirsten

  12. Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you could be a great
    author. I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will often come back from now on. I want to encourage you to
    ultimately continue your great posts, have a nice day!

    Visit my web site; Max Rize Pro

  13. hello!,I love your writing so much! share we keep up a correspondence more approximately your
    article on AOL? I require an expert in this area to unravel
    my problem. Maybe that is you! Looking forward to see you.

    My homepage :: http://www.aniene.net

  19. Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with
    my facebook group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.
    Please let me know. Many thanks

    My homepage :: Quyen

  20. Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however ,
    I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging
    links or maybe guest writing a blog article
    or vice-versa? My site discusses a lot of the same subjects
    as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you are interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward
    to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the way!

  21. Great work! That is the kind of information that are supposed
    to be shared across the internet. Disgrace on Google for
    not positioning this put up higher! Come on over and talk over with my website .

    Thank you =)

    my web page – MetaboFix Review

  23. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague
    who had been conducting a little research on this. And he actually bought
    me breakfast because I found it for him… lol.

    So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!

    But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this
    topic here on your blog.

    Here is my blog post Kodo Detox Patch

  24. I just wanted to thank you again for the amazing web-site you have designed here.
    It really is full of useful tips for those who are actually interested in this kind
    of subject, especially this very post. Your all so sweet as well as thoughtful of
    others in addition to the fact that reading your website posts is a great delight in my opinion. And thats a generous treat!
    Tom and I will certainly have fun making use of your points in what we must do in a month’s time.
    Our record is a distance long so your tips will certainly be put
    to fine use.

    my web page :: Keto Vibe Pills Reviews

  26. I’m curious to find out what blog system you are working with?
    I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest
    website and I would like to find something more secure. Do you have
    any solutions?

    Feel free to surf to my web blog – Tri-Bol

  27. Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but
    I’m having a hard time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
    P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

    Here is my web-site: Nuubu Detox

  28. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your
    authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess
    over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this
    hike.

    Here is my blog – duna-anapa.net.ru

  33. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot
    about this, like you wrote the book in it
    or something. I think that you can do with some pics to
    drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog.
    A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.

    Here is my web page – frun-test.sakura.ne.jp

  36. Having reaⅾ this I beliiｅved it wаs extremely informative.
    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to рut his inf᧐rmative
    aｒtiϲle together. I once agin find myself personally spending a significant ɑmoսnt of time both rading and leaving comments.
    But so what, it was still wooгth it!

  39. Appreciating the dedication you put into your site and detailed information you present.

    It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted
    rehashed material. Great read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    My web-site casino 888

Comments are closed.