0305 The coalescence of capitalism and socialism into two ideologically opposing tribes marks the Third Battle of the Enlightenment Gods: The Cold War Among Materialist Ideologies (1945-1989).
0306 Two nation-states dominate the expression of each tribe. The United States of America expresses capitalism. The Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics expresses socialism… er… communism. The war is “cold” because both parties own nuclear weapons, along with the capacity to deliver those bombs. Open warfare is ruled out. Proxy warfare is the preferred combat arena.
The war is also “cold” because the competing parties do not appeal to the masses in the same way that fraternal ideologies do. Rather, the parties rely upon and promote expertise, in order to demonstrate which “-ism” is the best to invest in. But, all along, the real “investment” is in the agreement that wealth and power are distinct, separate and each supports its own suite of academic disciplinary languages2.
Here, I look back at point 0283.
Yes, I am still presenting an independent way to make Zizek’s case. At this point, the parallel to Looking at Hugh Ross’s Book (2023) “Rescuing Inerrancy” ends and the examination lifts off in another direction, syncing with the referent in point 0309.
0307 What is this business about battles among the Enlightenment gods?
The Enlightenment gods are conjured in the West prior to the French and American revolutions in the late 1700s. They increasingly manifest during the industrial revolution in the 1800s. Competition among these gods begins in earnest in the 1900s, leading to a victor, of sorts, who… may I say… defines a rather surprising end to the battle between capitalist and socialist ideologies.
Here is a picture of the four battles, the last of which is ongoing.
0308 According to the list, a surprise turn officially occurs in 1989, the year when the USSR disintegrates and the USA apparently stands victorious.
Does capitalism win over socialism?
Of course not, that would be too easy.
0309 The story of what happens next is first delineated in Razie Mah’s blogs for August through October, 2024. These blogs are compiled into Parts 1 through 3 of Original Sin and the Post-Truth Condition (2024, Razie Mah, available at smashwords and other e-book venues).
0310 Here is the abbreviated version.
By the time that the USSR falls, American state-supported academies are packed with both capitalists and socialists,and have been trending socialist for decades. Since the contest between the two “-isms” is intellectual, and since scientific inquiry (remember the Positivist’s judgment?) is highly regarded, counter-intuitive and methodologically consistent, both parties adopt scientific formats to express their opinions.
0311 Here is a picture.
Ah, the actualities are not longer fighting one another, they are clothing themselves in identical scientific vestments.