New in Civitas: "Eliminating Liberal Institutional Asymmetries"

"For now, the only way to advance conservatism is to eliminate liberal institutional asymmetries."

Civitas published my new essay, titled Eliminating Liberal Institutional Asymmetries. This piece ties together several themes I've discussed in recent months. From the introduction:

Since the New Deal, progressives have captured virtually every public institution and most private institutions in America. This result should not be surprising. O'Sullivan's First Law proclaims, "All organizations that are not actually right-wing will over time become left-wing." The all-too-common fear that power will be abused in the future presumes that power is not already being abused, regardless of who wins elections. When Democrats are in power, these institutions tend to instinctively support Democrats. When Republicans are in control, those institutions instinctively resist Republicans. Given these asymmetries, concerns about what would happen when the shoe is on the other foot are misplaced. Perhaps the single greatest opportunity of our current political moment is to eliminate these entrenched institutional asymmetries permanently. The political playing field should be level, allowing both sides of the political aisle to compete evenly in the arena of ideas. 

I focus on three asymmetries: the civil service, the academy, and the legal profession.

I hope this essay stimulates some debate. See you all at NLC!

 

Comments

[gVOR08]

Since the New Deal we’ve had a contest of ideas on a more or less level playing field and y’all lost.

[apedad]

From the essay:

"Progressives may be more public-service minded. Or Democrats tend to have more educational credentials, which could support their elevation through the civil service ranks."

Those dastardly Progs/Dems!!!!

But what's the problem anyway since, "Conservatives tend not to take these sorts of jobs in the first place."

[grb]

"Conservatives tend not to take these sorts of jobs in the first place."

When they do, of course, you usually see higher rates of corruption. Go back and compare all the recent presidential administrations and look at the number of ethical issues and outright crimes. The difference between Democratic and Republican White Houses isn't close to being a statistical wash. With the Right you always get hustlers and crooks.

[Krayt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sa-CyXF5tg

[Longtobefree]

At the core, conservative prefer individual freedom and 'liberals' prefer government coercion.
Conservatives cannot force people to be free.
'Liberals' can force people to obey.
In the end, 'liberals' will win.

Just eat the damn bugs and be happy.

[Botaglove]

I believe Blackman is suggesting government coercion

"Perhaps the single greatest opportunity of our current political moment is to eliminate these entrenched institutional asymmetries permanently. The political playing field should be level, allowing both sides of the political aisle to compete evenly in the arena of ideas"

And after a sufficiently long period of even competition, what if the Left wins again? Are they to be leveled again? Or is the idea that the only fair result is if they lose?

[David Nieporent]

If there's anything that is the hallmark of the current regime, it's the pursuit of individual freedom!

[Botaglove]

"The Trump Administration has taken steps to eliminate this asymmetry in legal institutions. The Department of Justice with large law firms, requiring them to perform pro bono work for conservative causes. In candor, I have some doubts about the constitutionality of some of these agreements. In an ideal world, the government would never dictate terms to private entities, but it has, unfortunately, become a common practice for the government to condition settlements on progressive causes. In the background, the federal government has pressured firms to drop support for conservative causes."

Oh be candid Blackman. Normally it would be a bad thing for the president to do unconstitutional things, but these are not normal times and your gold plated God must be given free reign.

[grb]

Botaglove : "Oh be candid Blackman"

The only thing candid with Blackman is his lust for a judgeship or administration position.

[apedad]

You mean being a constitutional law professor at the South Texas College of Law (located in the vibrant downtown of the nation’s fourth largest city!), isn't the pinnacle of success?!?

[Nelson]

He knows that the integrity required for a better academic position is far beyond him, but this administration has no such qualms. In fact, integrity is a deal-breaker for a position in Trump’s government.

Mr. Blackman is smart to recognize both his own lack of decency and the similar character of the Administration and try to secure a lifetime position before ethical standards are reasserted. Probably the smartest thing he’s ever done or said.

[Nelson]

“ All organizations that are not actually right-wing will over time become left-wing”

I’m not sure if the paranoia of this statement is more disturbing than the assumption that only right-wing beliefs are principled and constant. But it’s terrifying that conservatives think this way, since it inevitably leads to government coercion to “save” us all from ourselves because conservatives know better.