A response to David Brooks' NYTimes Podcast: "Maybe Bernie Sanders is Right"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh1mh6ppAdc

I gather that Brooks, as a college-educated intellectual, hates populism, (if populism is taken to be a political strategy of appealing to “the people” by pitting them against “elites” who are blamed for disregarding the will or concerns of the people. ) However, given the depth of economic and social inequality in the US, it may be that populism is the only way to restore balance. But then the question becomes, whose populism? authoritarian populism (MAGA) , or progressive populism ("FDR's New Deal")?

The former identifies scapegoats in order to consolidate power, with the goal of deconstructing the institutions of democracy. Heather Cox Richardson describes it this way: "If you have ten people in a room, eight of them just want to get by. They just want to put food on the table and have a good time and have their friends and have a nice life. But there are two people who want to control everybody else, and the way that they get that power is to get six people to turn against the two at the bottom."

The latter avoids scapegoating and deconstructs powers that limit economic and social inequality--political, corporate and media elites-- thus strengthening the institutions that further democracy. Think FDR's "New Deal" or Bernie Sanders.

It's harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a conservative intellectual to affirm progressive intellectuals' ideas. I hope Brooks will be able to move from "maybe" to a full validation of progressive populism.

Boromir as a type: Evangelicals and the NAR

In 2022, after re-reading the Fellowship of the Ring in the last chapters I was struck by how much American evangelicals (and today I would add those of the NAR) have in common with Boromir.
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In Chapter 10, "The Breaking of the Fellowship," Boromir, who has been eyeing Frodo ever since they emerged from the mines of Moria, attempts to convince Frodo to give him the ring:

<"You seem to ever think only of its power in the hands of the Enemy: of its evil uses not o its good. The world is changing, you say. Minas TIrith will fall, if the Ring lasts. But why? Certainly, if the Ring were with the Enemy, but why, if it were with us?"
"Were you not at the Council?" answered Frodo. "Because we cannot used it, and what is done with it turns to evil."

Boromir got up and walked impatiently. "So you go on," he cried. "Gandalf, Elrond--all these folk have taught you to say so...Yet I often doubt if they are wise and not merely timid. True hearted Men, they will not be corrupted. We of Minas Tirith...do not desire the power of wizard-lord, only strength to defend ourselves, strength in a just cause...it is mad not to use [the ring], to use the power of the Enemy against him. The fearless, the ruthless, these alone will achieve victory. What could not a warrior do in this hour, a great leader? What could not Aragorn do? Or if he refuses, why not Boromir? The RIng would give me power of Command. How I would drive the hosts of Mordor, and all men would flock to my banner!">

1) Boromir, believes that if he had power, he could restore Gondor's greatness. American evangelicals believe that if they have power, they can restore America's greatness.
2) Boromir rejects the warnings of the wise; American evangelicals have rejected the warnings of those who are wise (for example, Russell Moore, Tim Keller, Beth Moore, Ron Sider, Roberta Hestenes, etc.)
3) Both Boromir and American evangelicals admire the fearless and ruthless, not those who are humble and merciful. They have embraced worldly "virtues" rather than authentic ones.
4) Both Boromir and American evangelicals believe they are oppressed, and so seek power "to defend themselves."
5) Boromir wants to use the Ring/power to win against the Enemy; American evangelicals want to use political power to win culture wars. .
7) Both Boromir and American evangelicals want to be in position to command, not to follow and serve. Both end up supporting a radical individualism, breaking the community/fellowship that once was the product of their obedience and loyalty.

However, my daughter urged me to remember that Boromir's redemption comes through a willingness to die rather ingloriously, trying to save two small hobbits (who aren't the 'important ones'), and confessing his error to Aragorn. May evangelicals and charismatics soon follow Boromir's arc.



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