Secrets of the Manor House: From the Edwardian To the Modern

Changes that led to the decline of the traditional British aristocracy and the Empire, which had come to their zenith with globalization and the great fortunes which had been created in England and America with the Industrial Revolution.

 

Many of the social phenomena that we see today could be viewed as an attempt to roll back the changes of the 20th century and the rise of the 'common man.' 

 



British Conservative Party Poster c.1909



The Age of Narcissism

"Suddenly, abused and battered wives or children, the unemployed, the depressed and mentally ill, the illiterate, the lonely, those grieving for lost loved ones, those crushed by poverty, the terminally ill, those fighting with addictions, those suffering from trauma, those trapped in menial and poorly paid jobs, those whose homes are in foreclosure or who are filing for bankruptcy because they cannot pay their medical bills, are to blame for their negativity.

The ideology justifies the cruelty of unfettered capitalism, shifting the blame from the power elite to those whom they oppress."

Chris Hedges

We will always come across such personalities.  But there are some times, in some cultures, where such character traits may become not only more accepted, but socially incented, rewarded, and even fashionable.  

I think this is an important subject, because the current fiat culture in the United States has a strong element of collective and individual narcissism, expressed in the role models it upholds, the people who rise to great power, and in general, a feeling of historical and global exceptionalism that dare not be questioned.

We may do as we wish, because of who we are. This is our century. And if others object, they either have no right to do so, or are merely acting out of fear and jealousy of our greatness.

 

Hallmarks of Narcissism

 A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

 

•Lacks empathy - is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

•Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

•Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

•Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

•Is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her

•Requires excessive admiration

•Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

•Believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

•Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

Frank Ochberg is one of my favorite modern psychologists. His primary area is PTSD. But his insights on a variety of topics is often insightful.

 

Chalmers Johnson: The Decline of Empire

Signs of Decay

1. Internal corruption
2. Imperial overreach
3. Inability to reform.

Chalmers Johnson: End of Empire, Signs of Decay

"History teaches us that the capacity of things to get worse is limitless. Roman history suggests that the short, happy life of the American republic may be coming to its end... [the US will probably] maintain a facade of constitutional government and drift along until financial bankruptcy overtakes it.

Of course, bankruptcy will not mean the literal end of the United States any more than it did for Germany in 1923, China in 1948, or Argentina in 2002-03.

It might, in fact, open the way for an unexpected restoration of the American system, or for military rule or simply for some development we cannot yet imagine. Certainly, such a bankruptcy would mean a drastic lowering of our standard of living, a loss of control over international affairs, a process of adjusting to the rise of other powers, including China and India..."

Chalmers Johnson, Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic, 2007

Morris Berman On the Decline of Empire: 'Why America Failed'

To say that Morris Berman has a 'dark vision' to share is an understatement.

I think his view is legitimate, but only if you look at one somewhat narrow aspect of the American character, and ignore all the rest. It seems to be singularly focused to the point of distortion by a depressive fatalism.

I have traveled all over the world. To my own view, people are on the whole much the same everywhere. The primary difference is that some cultures tend to incent and reward certain characteristics and behaviours more others, and at different times. This creates a certain 'flavor' to that region or country.

The best example I have observed is the profound difference in the assumptions between the Japanese and American cultural views. But one can still find those sorts of differences in regions of a large country like America, despite the homogenizing effect of mass consumerism and entertainment. But alas, they are becoming less vibrant and distinctive.

My own view is quite a bit more in line with Thomas Hartmann. I do think that America 'went off the tracks' in the 1980s, and bought this 'greed is good' meme, which has been repeatedly reinforced by a well funded PR campaign.

And there was a kind of financial coup d'etat that is distorting American policy and character in profound ways even now. It is very apparent if you can somewhat remove yourself from it and then look at it from a 'distance.'

The public and the governmental and financial elite are diverging, becoming almost two different things, as the elites swing further to the extreme, carrying a vocal minority of camp followers with them.

"Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people."

Garrison Kellor

Such minorities have taken over whole nations before, particularly when the people have become intellectually and emotionally exhausted, but only for a time, and only by the use of systemic violence and repression with which to maintain control and spread the contagion of their madness.

This period now seems very similar to other cyclical changes in the past in American history, that were followed by awakenings and changes in attitudes. One need only to compare the gilded Age with what came after it, for example. And if I compare America today it seems more like modern China than the America of the 1960's.

But whatever you might think this discussion is thought provoking.  Again, I am sorry to go to this source for such discussions, because I know it upsets some people, but the topic and speakers such as this are not often presented on the mainstream media.

Morris Berman has a blog, appropriately named Dark Ages America.

That Most Dangerous Time in the History of a Great Nation

Someone reminded me of this passage from an old history book today. It was a memory of days gone by for me, when I studied Roman history for a whimsical second major in Classics as a bright eyed undergraduate.

People have been comparing the US to the Roman Empire in decline since at least the 1950's. It was a favorite meme of my mother, child as she was of the Great Depression and the Second World War.  And yet we sometimes look back now to that early postwar period as 'the good old days.'

Unstable times bring great risks. A.H. Beesley wrote this history shortly after the First World War, when the flower of Europe had been lost in the trenches and the British Empire was staggered.  Most people are not aware of the foundation of the Roman Republic with the overthrow of the monarchy around 500 BC, and the four hundred year period of the popular consuls, with their own decline, the third servile revolt of Spartacus, and the rise of the princeps, clever politicians and powerful generals, epitomized finally by the dictator, Julius Caesar.

Beesley asks the rhetorical question in 1921 that a Roman citizen might have asked in 70 BC, 'The hour for reform was surely come. Who was to be the man?'

And so, seemingly, here we are again.

Universal degeneracy of the Government, and decay of the nation

Everywhere Rome was failing in her duties as mistress of the
civilised world. Her own internal degeneracy was faithfully reflected
in the abnegation of her imperial duties. When in any country the
small-farmer class is being squeezed off the land; when its labourers
are slaves or serfs; when huge tracts are kept waste to minister to
pleasure; when the shibboleth of art is on every man's lips, but ideas
of true beauty in very few men's souls; when the business-sharper is
the greatest man in the city, and lords it even in the law courts;
when class-magistrates, bidding for high office, deal out justice
according to the rank of the criminal; when exchanges are turned into
great gambling-houses, and senators and men of title are the chief
gamblers; when, in short, 'corruption is universal, when there is
increasing audacity, increasing greed, increasing fraud, increasing
impurity, and these are fed by increasing indulgence and ostentation;
when a considerable number of trials in the courts of law bring out
the fact that the country in general is now regarded as a prey, upon
which any number of vultures, scenting it from afar, may safely
light and securely gorge themselves; when the foul tribe is amply
replenished by its congeners at home, and foreign invaders find any
number of men, bearing good names, ready to assist them in
robberies far more cruel and sweeping than those of the footpad or
burglar'--when such is the tone of society, and such the idols before
which it bends, a nation must be fast going down hill.

A more repulsive picture can hardly be imagined. A mob, a moneyed
class, and an aristocracy almost equally worthless, hating each other,
and hated by the rest of the world; Italians bitterly jealous of
Romans, and only in better plight than the provinces beyond the sea;
more miserable than either, swarms of slaves beginning to brood
over revenge as a solace to their sufferings; the land going out of
cultivation; native industry swamped by slave-grown imports; the
population decreasing; the army degenerating; wars waged as a
speculation, but only against the weak; provinces subjected to
organized pillage; in the metropolis childish superstition, whole sale
luxury, and monstrous vice.

The hour for reform was surely come. Who was to be the man?

A.H. Beesley, The Gracchi Marius and Sulla, 1921

The Imperial Presidents

Wall Street is the Praetorian Guard.

As for Nero, we'll just have to wait and see.

But perhaps it might be good to have some fire insurance.

Weekend Viewing: Echos from the Last Great Depression

An uncanny echo from times gone by...

Charlie Chaplin, The Great Dictator, October 1940



Mohandas K. Gandhi, The Power of Civil Disobedience and Non-Violence



Adolf Hitler, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, 1933-1938

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

Beware the will to power, for madness has no master. We become what we hate, what we have sworn to destroy, and take up its methods, and serve it faithfully on this earth, thinking we are serving ourselves, forswearing all others, in defiance and expediency even God, to our own inevitable destruction. The beast prospers none, consuming all.

"Having fallen from the eternal, the Evil One's desires are endless, insatiable. Having fallen from pure Being, he is driven by the desire to possess, to fill his emptiness. But the problem is insoluble, always. He is compelled to have and to hold, to possess and consume, and nothing else. All he takes, he destroys." Denis de Rougemont