Spain's congress has voted in Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez for a new term as prime minister. His pact with left-wing Sumar and Catalan parties highlights the increasing influence of reactionary politics within the political landscape. The rise of reactionary politics poses a threat to progress and social cohesion, as it fosters divisions and intensifies zero-sum competition between different groups.
The identity synthesis is a trap. If we collectively fall into it, there will be more, not less, zero-sum competition between different groups. Reactionary politics thrives on exploiting these divisions, using them as a means to garner support and maintain power. By fueling fear, hatred, and polarization, reactionary politicians undermine the cooperative efforts necessary for effective governance.
In recent years, even religious institutions have fallen victim to reactionary politics. Pope Francis has lamented what he called a "reactionary" Catholic Church in the United States, where he said political ideology has replaced the core principles of compassion, inclusivity, and social justice. The infiltration of political ideologies into religious spaces further highlights the pervasiveness of reactionary politics and its corrosive impact on societal values.
A specter is haunting the Supreme Court. The unruly ghost of the French Revolution—the bane of reactionaries for the last two centuries. Reactionary politics seeks to preserve outdated systems and resist progressive change. By invoking the French Revolution, a symbol of radical transformation, reactionaries aim to stifle any attempts to challenge the status quo and preserve traditional power structures.
Even on the international stage, reactionary politics finds expression. The Brazilian president should support Ukraine; this would be an expression of the South-South solidarity he's pursuing. Reactionary leaders often employ nationalist rhetoric and prioritize their own interests over global cooperation. This inward-looking approach undermines international relationships and hinders the progress towards a more interconnected and harmonious world.
Within the Congress, the effects of reactionary politics are palpable. "You gaslight yourself by being crazy." This quote by Judy Gemstone encapsulates the absurdity of the recent sequence of congressional slap fights. Instead of constructive dialogue and collaboration, lawmakers engage in divisive and unproductive battles, further deepening the rift between political factions and impeding legislative progress.
The devastating wildfires that ravaged the western United States in 2020 serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of reactionary politics. Late in the summer, forests across the region were on fire, with California alone experiencing six of the twenty largest wildfires in history. The lack of proactive measures and the denial of climate change by some reactionary politicians have contributed to the exacerbation of these natural disasters.
A distrust of high theory used to be a mainstay of conservatism. Edmund Burke, scrutinizing support for the French Revolution, understood the dangers of radical change without considering the complexities of societal structures. However, in a reactionary political movement desperately trying to reestablish the racial and sexual hierarchies of the past, this distrust has morphed into a rejection of intellectualism and evidence-based policy-making, further hindering progress and social justice.
One of the most alarming aspects of reactionary politics is the pervasive fear of Black advancement. Reactionaries often seek to maintain racial and sexual hierarchies, perpetuating systemic discrimination and inequality. By exploiting these fears, they mobilize support from those who feel threatened by societal progress, perpetuating division and hindering the pursuit of a more equitable society.
In conclusion, reactionary politics presents a significant threat to progress, social cohesion, and equality. Its divisive tactics, exploitation of fear, and resistance to change hinder effective governance and impede efforts towards a more just and inclusive society. To counter the rise of reactionary politics, it is crucial to promote dialogue, understanding, and evidence-based decision-making, fostering an environment of cooperation and collective progress.
