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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (40577)	8/28/2002 4:45:37 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

nostalgia for 'the good old days that never were' can't be a powerful political tool. I agree. I am going to stop by the library later today and try to get Daniel Pipes book about conspiracy theories and politics. The reviews I've read indicate it's consistent with my theories about the origins of fascism. Pipes argues that fascism, communism, and Islamism all share a fact which is little noted, they spring from conspiracy theories. I've been wondering why fascism and similar noxious beliefs pop up when the franchise is extended to the masses. It would make sense that the previously unenfranchised are poorly educated, and thus gullible targets for conspiracy theories. Heck, a lot of seemingly educated people swallow conspiracy theories so maybe I am trying too hard for an explanation. Ideas matter. We are engaged in what appears to be an eternal struggle to promote our world view. We know that we must win because our way is better, not just for us but for everyone who has been fortunate enough to experience it. Or maybe my own mind has been poisoned by Adam Smith and Ayn Rand, and I can't see that I've been duped by my capitalist masters.-g- Memo to all: PBS is re-running "Commanding Heights". Here in DC, it starts on September 1. I can't recommend this program more highly. cera.com