The New Jacobins

 

The modern American left is often associated with progressive values such as social justice, equality, and government intervention in the economy. However, a closer look at their ideology reveals a striking resemblance to the Jacobin movement of the French Revolution rather than classical liberalism, which championed individual liberty, limited government, and free markets.

The Jacobins were a radical political group in France in the 1790s. They were known for their extreme measures to implement the principles of the French Revolution, which included the abolition of the monarchy, the execution of King Louis XVI, and the Reign of Terror. The Jacobins believed in a strong centralized government, national sovereignty, and the common good over individual rights. These ideas have a lot in common with the modern American left.

The modern American left, like the Jacobins, believes in the state's power to enforce social and economic justice. They advocate for universal healthcare, free college education, and wealth redistribution to address income inequality. They also support affirmative action, environmental regulation, and immigration reform to promote social justice. These policies prioritize the collective good over individual liberty, much like the Jacobins' emphasis on national sovereignty and the common good.

The modern American left is also characterized by a deep distrust of traditional institutions such as religion, the family, and the free market. They view these institutions as oppressive and believe the state should intervene to promote equality and justice. This view is similar to the Jacobins' rejection of the monarchy, the Catholic Church, and the aristocracy, which they believed stood in the way of progress and justice.

Furthermore, the modern American left often employs tactics that resemble the Jacobins' use of violence and intimidation to achieve their goals. Antifa, a left-wing militant group, has been known to use violence and destruction of property to protest against right-wing groups. Similarly, the Jacobins used violence and terror to suppress dissent and enforce their policies during the French Revolution.

In contrast, classical liberalism prioritizes individual liberty and limited government intervention in the economy. The principles of classical liberalism were enshrined in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which protect individual rights and limit the state's power. The founding fathers believed that government should exist to protect individual rights and promote the common good, but not to control people's lives or redistribute wealth.

The modern American left's emphasis on the state's power to enforce social and economic justice, distrust of traditional institutions, and use of violence and intimidation to achieve their goals resemble the Jacobin movement of the French Revolution. While classical liberalism champions individual liberty and limited government intervention, the modern American left prioritizes the collective good over individual rights. This fundamental difference highlights the ongoing debate between these ideological frameworks and their respective societal visions.