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The world in the grip of an idea
Book by Carson, Clarence Buford
562 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 9, 2012
The author identifies an idea - collectivism, socialism, aka totalitarianism - and surveys 20th century world history. In the survey he notices that where ever you look everyone is in the grip of this idea. It does not matter whether it was in Stalinist Russia, Hitler's Germany, or Great Britain's Fabian freeway,everyone is enamored with the idea that more control is the way to freedom.
The essence of collectivism of all shades, argues Dr. Carson, is to escape personal responsibility. It is this desire from accountability and responsibility that drives the political agendas left and right, East and West. Business corporations, no less than individual citizens, are also caught up in the collectivist mindset. So they seek, at every opportunity, the opportunity to service the growing political state which, of course, is the vehicle by which collectivism is defined and established.
Thus the idea that grips the world is one that seeks to escape reality. It is a religious view that seeks salvation by escape from responsibility rather than accept an obligation to obtain some kind of dominion over the creation.
The result will be the destruction of liberty and eventual enslavement to the state which will, if history serves us, assist in the ultimate destruction of the collectivist economy and political order. How long that might take is open for debate. It's certainty, on the other hand, cannot be doubted.
The essence of collectivism of all shades, argues Dr. Carson, is to escape personal responsibility. It is this desire from accountability and responsibility that drives the political agendas left and right, East and West. Business corporations, no less than individual citizens, are also caught up in the collectivist mindset. So they seek, at every opportunity, the opportunity to service the growing political state which, of course, is the vehicle by which collectivism is defined and established.
Thus the idea that grips the world is one that seeks to escape reality. It is a religious view that seeks salvation by escape from responsibility rather than accept an obligation to obtain some kind of dominion over the creation.
The result will be the destruction of liberty and eventual enslavement to the state which will, if history serves us, assist in the ultimate destruction of the collectivist economy and political order. How long that might take is open for debate. It's certainty, on the other hand, cannot be doubted.
December 13, 2016
This book was published in 1979, so obviously some parts of it are a little dated, and some predictions now appear a little humorous, but Carson does a good job of presenting evidence for the gradual creep of collectivism. He oversimplifies the ideas of the Austrian School of economics, and although he apparently believes in the Christian gospel, he does not put much emphasis on the root problem of mankind - our fallen nature in Adam and subsequent rebellion against God.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews