To be a true "conservative" would mean being opposed to the West itself, at least the West since the Enlightenment. Why is this? Because the operating system of the West is Technique and Progress.
Excellent summary of Ellul’s thought and a semi-prescription. My question is would Ellul say that any pushback—avoid the new cycle, unplug, pursue unmediated community—is just part of the overall propaganda machine that includes some level of revolt? (Still waiting on Autopsy of Revolutions, so if the answer is there, I apologize).
At the end of his work Political Illusion, he does suggest building alternative communities of self governance (I did a write up here: https://www.seekingthehiddenthing.com/p/the-political-illusion-pt5-the-heroic). Ellul mentions two main features. One is disconnecting from the reward structure of the regime. Second, if you are successful and the regime thinks you a threat, they will find you and try to crush you. The only reasons the Mennonites are allowed the space they are is they do not represent a threat. So, you have to be cognizant of that. I will have more to say in the final piece looking at Autopsy of Revolution, which I am in the middle of writing. I will both agree and disagree with Ellul.
Excellent summary of Ellul’s thought and a semi-prescription. My question is would Ellul say that any pushback—avoid the new cycle, unplug, pursue unmediated community—is just part of the overall propaganda machine that includes some level of revolt? (Still waiting on Autopsy of Revolutions, so if the answer is there, I apologize).
At the end of his work Political Illusion, he does suggest building alternative communities of self governance (I did a write up here: https://www.seekingthehiddenthing.com/p/the-political-illusion-pt5-the-heroic). Ellul mentions two main features. One is disconnecting from the reward structure of the regime. Second, if you are successful and the regime thinks you a threat, they will find you and try to crush you. The only reasons the Mennonites are allowed the space they are is they do not represent a threat. So, you have to be cognizant of that. I will have more to say in the final piece looking at Autopsy of Revolution, which I am in the middle of writing. I will both agree and disagree with Ellul.