2017/02/10/Behind the Internet's Anti-Democracy Movement

• when: 2017/02/10 2017/02/10
• author: Rosie Gray
• source: The Atlantic
• topics: Steve Bannon Curtis Yarvin Neoreaction war on democracy Straussianism
• keywords NRx Mencius Moldbug alt-right white nationalism
• link: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/02/behind-the-internets-dark-anti-democracy-movement/516243/
• title: Behind the Internet's Anti-Democracy Movement
• summary: White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is reportedly a reader of neoreactionary political theory. A tour through the pro-authoritarian philosophy gaining visibility on the right.

Excerpt

The main thrust of Yarvin's thinking is that democracy is a bust; rule by the people doesn't work, and doesn't lead to good governance. He has described it as an "ineffective and destructive" form of government, which he associates with "war, tyranny, destruction and poverty." Yarvin's ideas, along with those of the English philosopher Nick Land, have provided a structure of political theory for parts of the white-nationalist movement calling itself the alt-right. The alt-right can be seen as a political movement; neoreaction, which adherents refer to as NRx, is a philosophy. At the core of that philosophy is a rejection of democracy and an embrace of autocratic rule.

• h/t: Steve S