APPARENTLY BREXIT ISN’T THE “RIGHT” KIND OF REVOLUTION : BEN WEINGARTEN
See more at: https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/06/apparently-brexit-isnt-the-right-kind-of-revolution#sthash.9JhCUgoy.3FxRcElY.dpuf
Popular democratic revolutions are all the rage, until they aren’t.
Remember the (inherently) progressive Establishment’s glee around the globe at the prospect of the Arab Spring?
Contrast its favorable reaction to the “democratic” jihadist takeover of the Middle East with the chaos and cringing that has ensued in the wake of Brexit.
What is clear is that regardless of the substantive impact of Great Britain’s referendum, its symbolic effect has been extraordinary.
Irrespective of #Leave’s implications on economics, immigration and national security, #Brexit is a direct rebuke to the bipartisan Establishment’s most cherished values and principles, and an indictment of its rule.
Too, by challenging the progressive status quo, Brexit has exposed some delicious double standards.
Here are just a few of them:
National Sovereignty and Self-Determination
As mentioned, recall that the Arab Spring was viewed by the global political class as an unalloyed good. Further, the political class always claims to be against meddling in the affairs of other nations, lest the West creates a 21st century wave of neo-colonialist blowback. And anyway, we are supposed to be non-judgmental. Who are we to tell others what is right and wrong?
The angered reaction of Western elites to #Brexit shows that the above is a farce. The Establishment believes in forcing its values and principles on others when it is in its political interest, in particular when it gives the Establishment more power and control. It is highly judgmental of those who do not toe its line and submit, as reflected in the stern warnings of Democrats and Republicans who lobbied for Brexit, and the talking heads exploding today.
British citizens, in rejecting EU control, were also rejecting another layer of progressive government and asserting their interest in national sovereignty and self-determination.
The Left appears to believe these are positive aims only when it comes to Islamic supremacist and/or socialist uprisings.
Revolution
While the political Establishment is generally against revolution, preferring the status quo when it is in its own self-interest, those at least on the Left have always been quick to romanticize revolution.
In #Brexit we have seen a political revolution that is peaceful – it was accomplished at the ballot box. Further, it was a populist revolution led by in effect Britain’s “forgotten man,” the everyday Briton.
Why is not this revolution being celebrated?
Again, because the political establishment only stands with those people who perpetuate its power – namely those who further a multiculturalist, globalist agenda that will allow the Establishment to enrich itself and grow its political power.
“Good” revolutions are ones that are good for Establishment business.
Elites only like non-elites who can be manipulated to serve elitist ends.
A rejection of multiculturalism, open borders and in particular mass Islamic immigration are viewed as bad for Establishment business because from the Establishment’s perspective it means less cheap labor, and for its true believers a rejection of core elements of their worldview.
I believe there is something else at play here too. It strikes me that the political correctness and willful blindness in the face of jihadist overrun of large swathes of the EU has occurred because of the Establishment’s own cowardice and impotence.
This revolution has shown that sizable numbers of Europeans have had enough of it. Thus, Brexit must be an embarrassing rejection of Establishment weakness.
Smearing of opponents as fascists and bigots who truly believe that borders matter, assimilation is imperative and ideologies that seek to destroy Western society must be rooted out is the best the Establishment can do to try to discredit opponents who expose the Establishment for what it really is.
Democracy and the People’s Will
The political class supposedly believes in the will of the people – especially the poor, disenfranchised, non-elites. Why then the sneering anger over the assertion of sovereignty by the citizenry of Great Britain?
Elites only like non-elites who can be manipulated to serve elitist ends. As the elite is progressive, non-progressives threaten their power.
Democracy as defined as majority rule is only attractive for the Establishment again when it furthers the Establishment’s ends.
Seen in this light, the “people’s will” is only a positive when it benefits the political class.
The progressive Establishment cares not in reality for the say of 50 percent plus one, or what the average voter thinks. It cares for protecting and preserving its power at all costs.
Personally, I am not confident that #Brexit will shepherd in the kind of change that liberty-lovers hope to see in Great Britain in terms of reducing the size and scope of government and increasing individual liberty. It is likewise uncertain whether or not Britain will finally get serious about jihadist metastasization within its borders that is fast reaching critical mass.
Ben Weingarten is Founder & CEO of ChangeUp Media LLC, a media consulting and publication services firm. A graduate of Columbia University, he regularly contributes to publications such as City Journal, The Federalist, Newsmax and PJ Media on national security/defense, economics and politics. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
– See more at: https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/06/apparently-brexit-isnt-the-right-kind-of-revolution#sthash.9JhCUgoy.3FxRcElY.dpuf
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