cui bono

A comment by reader Conservative Bias posed a question:

… I do not mean to take a jab at conservatives who do not believe in the theory of global warming or are highly suspect of a liberal agenda - What does the Left gain by trying to persuade this theory?

I’m always suspicious of issues which polarize the two parties and don’t trust politicians in general. However, in this instance I can only see an agenda for the Right to oppose global warming, but not for the Left to push it (with the exception of Gore wanting to gain good graces).

The question does not concern the scientific debate surrounding the theory of anthropogenic global warming. Rather, given that the debate is politically polarized, what does the left stand to gain by claiming that human activity is causing potentially catastrophic climate change?

I have arranged for a darling young moppet to provide the answer. Listen to her carefully. After we set aside her moralizing, we are left with a specific proposal, at roughly 22 seconds remaining on the tape.

The goal of the left in this matter, as in every matter, is to increase the power of the state. It is axiomatic that all means of production ought to be controlled by the state. Energy production is critical to every other industrial activity, and hence a natural target for ever-increasing state control.

The goal is increased government power. The means is by taking property and autonomy from private citizens. The tactical approach to accomplishing this is always the same: incite fear. H. L. Mencken put it this way:

Civilization, in fact, grows more and more maudlin and hysterical; especially under democracy it tends to degenerate into a mere combat of crazes; the whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.

If you care to see a shriller, older, and far less attractive moppet of the left bang the same drum, try here.

Posted on March 1st, 2007 by pwyll
Filed under: eco-catastrophe, nanny state

3 Responses to “cui bono”

  1. Paco Malo, on March 6th, 2007 at 2:16 pm Said:

    The government has been and is used to meet critical needs of our society.

    Menchen’s indictment is of civilization and Machivellian politics as practiced in his day as well as in ours.

    I have to go vote now in city elections.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    [A]nthropogenicglobal warming — love it.

  2. cardcarryinglibertar, on March 8th, 2007 at 6:11 pm Said:

    I agree that the government has been used for those purposes, just not effectively.

    I certainly hope you considered (and will consider) Venerable Joe Redner. I vote for him every time he runs out here in the county.

  3. pwyll, on March 9th, 2007 at 6:29 pm Said:

    I wish I could vote for Joe Redner.

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