The Plutocratic Masquerade: A Father Brown Mystery

"The key fact in the new development of plutocracy is that it will use its own blunder as an excuse for further crimes".GK Chesterton, The Utopia of Userers

The New World Order

by

H.G. Wells

VI Science and the Eugenists

The Plutocratic Masquerade: A Father Brown Mystery

Introduction

In the quaint little town of St. Mary’s, where the cobblestone streets whispered secrets of yesteryear, the air hung heavy with a curious tension. It was here that Father Brown, a humble priest with an astute eye for human folly, found himself embroiled in a mystery that would unravel the tangled web of power, greed, and pseudo-science that had taken root in the community.

The Arrival of the Plutocrats

It all began when a group of wealthy industrialists descended upon St. Mary’s, their presence heralded by the clinking of gold and the rustle of fine silks. They convened at the grand estate of Sir Reginald Pemberton, a man whose fortune was as vast as his arrogance. The townspeople watched with a mix of awe and suspicion as the plutocrats discussed their latest venture: a new eugenics program they claimed would “improve” the populace.

Father Brown, intrigued and somewhat alarmed, decided to pay a visit to the estate. He arrived just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the manicured gardens. Inside, a lavish banquet was in full swing, but the atmosphere was charged with an unsettling undercurrent.

The Dinner Conversation

As the guests dined on sumptuous fare, their conversation turned to the state of the nation. “We must act decisively,” declared Sir Reginald, his voice booming over the clatter of cutlery. “The impoverished masses are a burden on our society. We shall use our resources to ensure that only the most capable reproduce.”

Father Brown listened intently, his brow furrowing. He recognized the echoes of Hilaire Belloc’s concerns regarding the servile state—how the powerful often cloaked their greed in the guise of benevolence, manipulating the vulnerable for their own gain.

“Is it not a crime to enslave those already impoverished?” Father Brown interjected gently. “You speak of improvement while wielding your wealth as a weapon.”

The room fell silent, the laughter fading into an uneasy quiet. The plutocrats exchanged glances, momentarily taken aback by the priest’s boldness.

A Sudden Death

The evening took a dark turn when, just moments later, a piercing scream echoed through the halls. Lady Agatha, Sir Reginald’s wife, had collapsed at the table, her face pale and lifeless. Panic ensued, and Father Brown rushed to her side, checking for signs of life.

“It appears she has been poisoned,” he declared, noting the uneaten food on her plate. The guests erupted into chaos, accusations flying as the police were summoned.

The Investigation

As the local constable arrived, Father Brown took it upon himself to investigate. He spoke with each guest, probing their motives and alibis. The tension among the plutocrats was palpable; each one seemed to have something to hide.

Through careful observation, Father Brown noted the subtle nuances of their interactions. Sir Reginald, once the loudest voice in the room, now sat in silence, his hands trembling. The others, too, exhibited signs of fear and guilt, their earlier bravado evaporating in the face of tragedy.

“Tell me,” Father Brown asked, his eyes narrowing, “who among you would benefit from Lady Agatha’s demise?”

The Revelation

After hours of questioning, Father Brown gathered the guests in the grand parlor. “The truth is simple,” he began, his voice calm yet authoritative. “You all spoke of improving society, yet your actions reveal a desire to control it. Lady Agatha opposed your plans, advocating for the rights of the very people you sought to exploit.”

Gasps echoed through the room as Father Brown continued. “Her death was not merely an act of jealousy or greed; it was a desperate attempt to silence dissent. The poison was slipped into her wine by someone who feared her influence.”

With a keen eye, Father Brown pointed to one of the guests, a nervous man with shifty eyes. “You, Mr. Thompson, who stood to gain the most from her death, were the last to speak with her. Your investment in this eugenics program depended on her approval, which she vehemently opposed.”

Mr. Thompson’s face turned ashen, and he stammered, “I—I didn’t mean to! It was an accident!”

Conclusion

The constable apprehended Mr. Thompson, and the remaining guests were left to grapple with the consequences of their actions. Father Brown, having unraveled the threads of greed, power, and deception, reflected on the nature of humanity.

“Plutocracy,” he mused, “will always seek to exploit the vulnerable, cloaked in the guise of progress. But in the end, it is the truth that prevails, even amidst the darkest of schemes.”

As he left the estate, the weight of the evening lingered in the air, a reminder of the fragile balance between power and morality, and the ever-present danger of allowing greed to masquerade as virtue.

Weekend read – Blood and Oil in the Orient: A 2023 Update

November 10, 2023EditorLeave a commentGo to comments

from Shimshon Bichler and Jonathan Nitzan [1]

1. The Hamas-Israel War

The 2023 war between Hamas and Israel elicits many different explanations. As with previous regional hostilities, here too, the pundits and commentators have numerous overlapping processes to draw on – from the struggle between the Zionist and Palestinian national movements, to the deep hostility between the Rabbinate and Islamic churches, to the many conflicts between Israel and Arab/Muslim states, the contentions between the declining superpowers (United States and Russia) and their rising contenders (like China, Iran, Turkey), the rift between western and eastern cultures, and so on.

The experts also highlight the growing importance of local militias – from Jewish settler organizations, to ISIS, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, the Houthi movement, the Wagner Group and Kadyrovites Chechens – groups that operate under different political, religious and criminal guises, with varying financing and support from local, governmental and international sources to proxy and/or challenge different states. [2]

Our article does not deal with these specificities. Instead of focusing on the particular and unique, we concentrate on the general and universal. Concretely, we argue that the current war between Hamas and Israel shares an important common denominator with prior clashes in the region – namely, that it constitutes an energy conflict and that it correlates with the differential nature of capital accumulation. We coined these two terms in the late 1980s and have studied their underpinnings and implications for the Middle East and beyond ever since. [3] Our purpose in this paper is to highlight our theoretical arguments, update some of our key empirical evidence and show how both the theory and findings apply to the current Hamas-Israel war.

2. OPEC and the Petro Core

Stylized Modelled Theory and Empirical Evidence: Seeds of Proof

Introduction

In the landscape of economic discourse, the phrase "flogging a dead horse" resonates with the ongoing debates around capitalism, energy economics, and societal structures. This essay draws on the themes of Hilaire Belloc's "The Servile State" and the works of Shimshon Bichler and Jonathan Nitzan regarding oil and energy conflicts. It aims to explore the intersection of economic theory, empirical evidence, and the socio-political dynamics that shape our understanding of modern capitalism.

Capitalism: A New Religion

Capitalism, often referred to as a new religion, presents itself as the ultimate truth, with the free market as its heaven. Criticism of capitalism is frequently dismissed, akin to declaring the Earth flat. As Bakunin articulated, property becomes a god, and the metaphysics surrounding it create a compromise between truth and falsehood. This perspective invites us to question the unquestionable and examine the underlying structures that perpetuate economic inequalities.

The Dead Horse of Economic Theory

The ongoing discussions around minimum wages, corporate practices, and the rights of artists in the digital age highlight the persistent issues within capitalism. The narrative of "flogging the dead horse" suggests a reluctance to abandon outdated economic models, even as empirical evidence points to their failures. The debates surrounding these topics reveal a collective self-delusion, where the refusal to acknowledge economic contraction leads to a rapid and inevitable end of modernity.

The Consequences of Collective Self-Delusion

As we reflect on the state of modern economics, we recognize that the evidence of economic contraction exists alongside a near-universal denial of this reality. The impending collapse of modernity is not a gradual process but rather a rapid descent into chaos. The tension between the impossibility of sustained economic growth and society's inability to accept this new reality creates a precarious situation.

Vanishing Points in Economic Theory

The concept of vanishing points, borrowed from art and naval architecture, applies to the global economy. Just as railway lines converge at a horizon, our cherished economic assumptions are invalidated as growth ends and contraction sets in. The financial system's weight of liabilities exceeds the underlying material economy, drawing us closer to a moment of capsize.

Energy Costs: The Scary Reality

The surge in energy prices has profound implications for industries reliant on energy inputs. The connection between energy costs and the supply chain highlights the fragility of our economic structures. Rising energy costs inevitably affect food production and transportation, revealing the interconnectedness of our economic systems.

The Role of Debt in Economic Dynamics

The debt-based model of modern political economy plays a critical role in shaping our economic realities. The misallocation of debt, primarily towards non-productive purposes, exacerbates low growth and undermines the sustainability of our economic systems. Understanding the nature of this debt is essential for addressing the challenges we face in the post-oil economy.

The Servile State and Artificial Scarcity

Belloc's "The Servile State" provides a framework for understanding the convergence of capitalism and state socialism. The modern energy landscape, marked by artificial scarcity, reflects the dynamics of control and dependency. Market manipulation, regulatory barriers, and strategic constraints reveal how the master class maintains power over the populace.

The Weapondollar-Petrodollar Coalition

The emergence of the Weapondollar-Petrodollar Coalition illustrates the intricate relationship between energy conflicts and capital accumulation. The cyclical nature of energy crises, rising oil prices, and corporate profits underscores the co-dependence of OPEC and major oil companies. This coalition thrives on the chaos of conflict, reinforcing the idea that wars serve to enrich the ruling class.

Empirical Evidence: The Case for Reevaluation

The empirical data surrounding energy production and economic performance challenges conventional narratives. The decline in real production costs and the improvement in extraction technologies suggest that the fears of resource depletion may be overstated. The historical context of oil production reveals that technological advancements have often outpaced the dire predictions of scarcity.

The Role of Technological Innovation

Technological innovation plays a pivotal role in reshaping our understanding of energy economics. The evolution of production methods and the diversification of energy sources challenge the notion of a linear trajectory toward depletion. This calls for a reevaluation of our economic models and policies, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies that harness innovation.

Conclusion: A Call for Systemic Change

In conclusion, the interplay between stylized theoretical models and empirical evidence underscores the urgent need for a systemic change in our economic frameworks. As we confront the realities of artificial scarcity, energy conflicts, and the limitations of capitalism, we must recognize the political and social dimensions that shape our economic landscape.

Through a synthesis of Belloc's insights and the empirical findings of Bichler and Nitzan, we can better understand the complexities of our current situation and work toward a more equitable and sustainable future. The challenge lies not in managing scarcity but in dismantling the structures that perpetuate it, paving the way for a new economic paradigm that embraces abundance and innovation.

Jacksonian Corporate/State Fiscal/Techno Monopoly Feudalism

Introduction

The era of the Trump administration has ushered in a new political and economic reality in the United States, characterized by authoritarianism and elitism. This regime promotes a corporate oligarchy, prioritizing the interests of billionaires over the broader populace. In stark contrast, Europe has embraced a state monopoly techno-feudalism, epitomized by corporate-political alliances and the regulatory frameworks of the European Union. This essay explores the implications of these divergent systems, drawing on historical economic doctrines and the evolving geopolitical landscape.

The Authoritarian Shift: Trump’s Oligarchic Agenda

The Trump administration represents a radical departure from the neoliberal and neoconservative principles that have dominated U.S. policy since the end of the Cold War. The Project for the New American Century (PNAC) encapsulated the globalist vision that sought to establish a unipolar world order centered on U.S. hegemony. However, under Trump, this vision has been supplanted by a brand of Jacksonian populism that paradoxically empowers an oligarchic elite while claiming to champion the American working class.

The Rise of Corporate Oligarchy

The concentration of power within a cabinet of billionaires and corporate leaders has led to the emergence of a new form of feudalism. This system resembles Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, where the ruling class—comprising the U.S. oligarchy—operates above the law, relegating the broader population to the status of "deltas" and "gammas." Meanwhile, America's allies, particularly in Europe, have been reduced to Orwellian "Airstrip One" vassals, serving U.S. interests rather than their own sovereignty.

Historical Context: The Rejection of the American System

This shift away from the principles of the American System, as advocated by figures like Henry Clay and Henry Charles Carey, is striking. The American System emphasized protectionism, infrastructure development, and the promotion of domestic industry to foster national prosperity. Carey's rejection of free trade in favor of policies that prioritize the happiness of nations and the well-being of laborers underscores the stark contrast with today’s laissez-faire capitalism, which benefits the oligarchy at the expense of the working population.

Carey's Vision of Prosperity

Carey argued that the true purpose of political economy is to promote the happiness of nations through the application of national labor for the comfort of workers. His critique of free trade, particularly following the Panic of 1837, highlights the need for a protective framework that supports domestic industries. As Carey stated, "Laissez nous faire is the true doctrine," yet he recognized that the interests of the laboring population should take precedence over mere market forces.

European Techno-Feudalism: A Competing Model

In contrast to the Trump administration's oligarchic nationalism, Europe has adopted a form of state monopoly techno-feudalism. This system is characterized by corporate-political alliances that wield significant influence over policy-making, often undermining individual state sovereignty. The regulatory frameworks of the European Union exemplify this trend, prioritizing centralized control and market integration at the expense of democratic governance.

The Elitism of the European Model

While the European model may appear more egalitarian, it is equally elitist. The dominance of multinational corporations and technocratic elites creates a new form of feudalism, where the masses are subject to the whims of a corporate-political aristocracy. This dynamic reinforces the notion that both the U.S. and European systems operate under a similar framework of elite control, albeit with different manifestations.

The Bipolar World Order: U.S. vs. East Asia

The Trump doctrine's emphasis on American exceptionalism has reshaped the global geopolitical landscape, creating a new bipolar order. The United States, under the influence of its oligarchs, faces off against a bloc led by China and Russia, reminiscent of Orwell's 1984. This transactional reality privileges a gold-standard-based dollar as the world’s reserve currency, reinforcing U.S. economic hegemony while relegating the aspirations of its competitors to the periphery.

The New Transactional Reality

In this new order, alliances are dictated by short-term interests rather than shared values or long-term objectives. The U.S. oligarchy consolidates power domestically while exerting influence over its allies, who are often forced into compliance. The result is a world where economic and political realities are shaped by the whims of a few, creating a stark divide between the privileged elite and the broader population.

Conclusion: A Brave New World for the Few, 1984 for the Many

The Trump administration's authoritarian and elitist policies have created a new reality for the United States and the world. Domestically, the U.S. oligarchy thrives in a system resembling Huxley's Brave New World, where the elite flourish while the masses are left to navigate their subservient existence. Internationally, allies and competitors alike are forced into an Orwellian existence, caught between competing authoritarian powers.

This new reality represents a departure from the globalist aspirations of the past and the nationalist economic principles of the American System. It reflects a transactional and elitist vision of governance that prioritizes the interests of the few over the well-being of the many. As we confront this new order, the challenge lies in finding a balance between sovereignty and cooperation, nationalism and globalism, and freedom and control. Whether such a balance can be achieved remains uncertain, but the stakes have never been higher.

Relevant Quotes

• Hilaire Belloc: "The control of production by a few has become in modern times a thing of three dimensions."

• Henry Charles Carey: "The purpose of political economy is the promotion of the happiness of nations."

• Shimshon Bichler and Jonathan Nitzan: "Capital accumulation is inherently political, shaped by the power dynamics of the ruling class."

This essay invites further reflection on the implications of our current political and economic realities, urging a reevaluation of how we define prosperity in a world increasingly dominated by oligarchic interests.

Take this input and write an essay in the first person by Hillarie belloc drawing on the themes as they appled to his time including assumed knowledge of the work of Harold Hotelling on the Oil cartel in the 1930's

Jacksonian Corporate/State Fiscal/Techno Monopoly Feudalism: A Reflection by Hilaire Belloc

In my time, I have often pondered the nature of power and its manifestations within society, particularly as it relates to economic systems and the governance of nations. Today, as I reflect on the current state of affairs, I see a troubling parallel to the feudal structures that once dominated Europe—one that I would term "Jacksonian Corporate/State Fiscal/Techno Monopoly Feudalism." This new order, reminiscent of the past yet distinctly modern, reveals a troubling trajectory for the United States and the world at large.

The Rise of Oligarchy

The advent of the Trump administration marks a significant departure from the principles that once guided American governance. We are witnessing the emergence of a corporate oligarchy, where the interests of billionaires and corporate leaders overshadow the needs of the common man. This oligarchy, cloaked in the guise of populism, has turned its back on the globalist agenda that characterized much of the late 20th century. Instead, it promotes a version of American exceptionalism that relegates allies and competitors alike to a status of subservience, reminiscent of the vassals of old.

In my writings, I have often critiqued the concentration of power among the elite. The current situation is no different. The ruling class operates much like the feudal lords of yore, with the broader populace reduced to mere subjects—akin to the "deltas" and "gammas" of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. This stark reality is compounded by the influence of information monopolies, which serve to reinforce the status quo and silence dissent.

Historical Parallels: The Feudal Order

Reflecting on the past, I recall the insights of Harold Hotelling regarding the oil cartel in the 1930s. His analysis of the economic dynamics at play within this cartel serves as a poignant reminder of how powerful interests can manipulate markets for their own gain. Much like the oil magnates of Hotelling's time, today’s corporate leaders wield significant influence over policy-making, often at the expense of the common good.

Hotelling’s observations about the collusion among oil companies highlight a fundamental truth about monopolistic practices: they prioritize profit over the welfare of society. This echoes my own concerns regarding the control of production and the pervasive influence of a few over the many. The new techno-feudalism we face today is no less insidious than the feudal systems of the past, where the masses were beholden to the whims of their lords.

The European Context: A Competing Vision

While the United States grapples with its own brand of oligarchic governance, Europe has embraced a form of state monopoly techno-feudalism. This system, characterized by corporate-political alliances, mirrors the dynamics of the American oligarchy but operates within a different framework. The European Union’s regulatory structures prioritize centralized control, often undermining the sovereignty of individual nations.

In my time, I have championed the idea of national prosperity grounded in the well-being of the laboring population. Figures like Henry Charles Carey articulated a vision of political economy that emphasized the happiness of nations through the application of national labor. This approach stands in stark contrast to the current reality, where the interests of the elite overshadow the needs of the working class.

The Bipolar World Order: A New Reality

As I observe the geopolitical landscape today, it is evident that we are entering a new bipolar world order. The United States, under the influence of its oligarchs, faces off against a bloc led by China and Russia, reminiscent of Orwell’s 1984. This transactional reality privileges a gold-standard-based dollar as the world’s reserve currency, reinforcing American hegemony while relegating the aspirations of its competitors to the periphery.

In this context, the lessons of history become increasingly relevant. The rise of authoritarianism, whether in the form of corporate oligarchies or state-controlled economies, poses a significant threat to the principles of liberty and democracy. The challenge lies in finding a balance between sovereignty and cooperation, nationalism and globalism, and freedom and control.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

As I reflect on these themes, I am reminded of the importance of advocating for a more equitable and just society. The current trajectory of Jacksonian Corporate/State Fiscal/Techno Monopoly Feudalism must be challenged if we are to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. We must strive for a political economy that prioritizes the well-being of the many over the interests of the few.

In the spirit of my contemporaries, I urge us to reclaim the principles of the American System as articulated by figures like Henry Clay and Henry Charles Carey. We must reject the elitist vision that currently dominates our political landscape and work towards a future that promotes the prosperity of all citizens. The stakes have never been higher, and it is our duty to ensure that the lessons of history guide our actions in this pivotal moment.

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Science and the Eugenists

“The key fact in the new development of plutocracy is that it will use its own blunder as an excuse for further crimes. Everywhere the very completeness of the impoverishment will be made a reason for the enslavement; though the men who impoverished were the same who enslaved. It is as if a highwayman not only took away a gentleman's horse and all his money, but then handed him over to the police for tramping without visible means of subsistence. And the most monstrous feature in this enormous meanness may be noted in the plutocratic appeal to science, or, rather, to the pseudo-science that they call Eugenics”

. Redraft as a GK CHesterton short story in the style of Father Brown drawing on the sources.

Addicted to Distraction: Psychological consequences of the Mass Media