NOSTALGIA FOR THE PAST…and FANTASY FOR OUR FUTURES…?
The book jacket image tells the story. “Mitt Romney and the Extreme Quest for Free Market (SteamPunk) Capitalism” observes the Republican Party—with Romney—locked into a one-dimensional vision of how they believe the world should work. Mitt’s is a free-market, laissez-faire vision—I call it Steam Punk Capitalism. It romanticizes America’s 19th Century frontier past…and fantasizes our 21st Century futures. It is a vision of a “kick-butt” sheriff—Winchester in hand—posed in front of an 1870’s wood-burning steam engine with a top speed of 28 MPH. It is a nostalgic vision of yesterday’s places…with names like Dodge City, Deadwood and Tombstone. It is a vision of wildcat banking, minimal rules and minimalist laws. It is a recipe for disaster in the 21st Century.
When the show ends, the screen goes dark and the theater empties…who actually wants to exit onto the street, into a 21st Century Steam Punk world?
Steam Punk capitalism, also, is about politics…eye-opening when viewed through Mitt Romney’s religion, Mormonism. Especially interesting may be “true believers,” some of whom are right-wing extremists (RWE). Many RWE’s believe the role of government should be limited to a sheriff, a strong military and little else.
The potential for “political evil” in this scenario is real, viewed from the competing perspectives of Mormon Church President E.T. Benson (1899-1994) and “center-right” psychiatrist and best-selling author, Scott Peck (1936-2005).
Sawyer James is the pseudonym of a U.S. political economist, setting this book apart from academic publications.
James has held a joint appointment with a French university and an endowed chair at an American university. At the collapse of Lehman Brothers (September 2008), Sawyer James was working in Europe as Fulbright Scholar, French Regional Council Scholar, and Visiting Fulbright Scholar to Portugal. He is published in Belgium, France, Great Britain and the United States.
This compact electronic book is created for the noneconomist; it presumes an interest in the General Election and its economic and political consequences.
Practically, what are some economic-related questions you may be pondering, even in an inchoate manner? You may well find them addressed here, including in the carefully selected annotated, electronic links to feature articles. Most are from the New York Times. These are among the best of the season; if you missed them earlier, you will still find them here (over 150 entries), and several are as recent as September, 2012.
SECTIONS
I. The Economy: What’s Happening Now?
Looks at various aspects of “pseudo-capitalism” including private equity championed by Mitt Romney and his firm, Bain Capital. Analyzes causes and consequences of the Great Recession including competencies (or incompetencies) of the Bush and Obama administrations in causing and responding to the crisis.
Ch. 1 Get Outta Oz…Get Real!
Ch. 2 Mitt Romney: Pseudo-Capitalist?
Ch. 3 So…Who Caused the Great Recession?
II. Economic Fundamentalism and Political Extremism: The Connection
Considers the relationship between economics and religion, within the religion of Mitt Romney, which is Mormonism. The perspective is less about Mitt Romney, however, and more about “true believers” who may vote for him. Among its most eloquent spokespersons is E.T. Benson, deceased Mormon president. Political evil is viewed through Benson’s political economy, as well as through the ethical system proposed by psychiatrist Scott Peck.
Ch. 4 Mitt’s True Believers
Ch. 5 Political Evil: Two Views
Ch. 6 Grandpa’s Ethics
CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE!
http://www.steampunkecon.com/
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