Con politics is a mutated form of conservatism. Conservative thinking is generally cautious about big societal changes, and tends to oppose them unless most people have in time come to see that the changes are actually quite harmless, or indeed beneficial for society. Con politics, on the other hand, pushes without hesitation for big societal changes whenever these are likely to strengthen further the self-centred clique of powerful people who steer it – even if that would be harmful for others in society.
The changes Con politics implacably opposes are those that could diminish its proponents’ wealth, status, or ability to keep taking unfair advantage of others – in such cases, it does not matter if most people are persuaded that the changes are necessary to reduce the suffering of those who have endured much pain and mistreatment, or there is mounting evidence that they will help improve life in general, Con politics would vilify such changes as utterly unacceptable.
To win votes, and avoid being exposed as callously self-serving, Con politics rallies support by weaponising hate against two types of target: the vulnerable scapegoats and the ‘do-gooder’ enemies.
Top of the list for scapegoats are immigrants and refugees, who will be routinely mentioned with the prefix ‘illegal’. The substantial contributions they can make to the economy must be ignored, instead they should be prevented from getting any paid work, and then blamed for being a drain on public resources. Resentment against ‘foreigners’ (even if their families have lived here for generations) and their ‘alien’ customs is to be stoked. Absurd schemes to deter people coming from abroad (except for the wealthy ones who are likely to donate to Con politics) should be concocted to keep them out, lock them up, or fly them away to far off land.
Next on the scapegoats list are people on low pay or unable to get a job, and have to resort to claiming benefits to make ends meet. They are to be indignantly denounced as ‘cheats’ and ‘scroungers’. Anyone denied decent pay is to be branded as ‘lazy’, the homeless are to be told they have only themselves to blame, and those who cannot work because of their illness or disability are to be slammed for lying about their condition and have all support withdrawn if they do not get out of their sick bed or wheelchair and start looking for work.
More scapegoats are to be found amongst those who live a ‘non-traditional’ way of life – women who want to have opportunities truly equal to those available to men, homosexual couples who want to get married, anyone not conforming to ‘conventional’ notions of gender and sexuality, etc – they are all reviled for violating precious principles and long revered customs.
Along with the scapegoats, Con politics targets the ‘do-gooders’ who dare to press for changes that will help the disadvantaged, and promote reforms that will alter power structures and prevailing practices to improve life for people in general. Trade unions that champion the workers’ cause, politicians who seek to bring in progressive policies, campaigners for the rights of those who are discriminated against, advocates for curbing corporate greed to protect the planet, lawyers who challenge oppressive measures, international organisations that uphold standards of fairness and decency – they are all presented as despicable enemies who should be loathed as dangerous radicals and shut out with perpetual disdain.
Why so much hate? Well, since sympathy with the plight of those who have the toughest struggle might lead to support for giving them help, Con politics wants to turn them into hated scapegoats that few will want to assist with public resources. As for the ‘do-gooders’, if people would listen calmly to their reasons and evidence, they might end up siding with them and their reform ideas. But manipulate people into hating them, that would ensure the case they make – however sound – would be rejected without even getting a hearing.
No wonder the rallying of Con politics is basically one long hate parade.
Previously published in Question the Powerful
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