Same As It Ever Was

“The Administration…can gain the leeway on the domestic front…only by combatting the radical Right rather than seeking itself to move onto rightist ground — an illusory operation since the Right can always go still further right and will.”

—David Riesman, “The Cold War and the West: Answers Given in a Partisan Review Symposium” (1962) (h/t Marilyn Young)

3 Comments

  1. Phil Perspective October 11, 2013 at 12:32 pm | #

    Sounds like D.C. Democrats have never heard of Santayana. 🙁

  2. barbara fitzpatrick October 11, 2013 at 12:36 pm | #

    “Things change, things remain the same.” Can workhouses and chastity belts be far behind.

  3. Roquentin October 11, 2013 at 1:57 pm | #

    I know you aren’t particularly fond of Nietzsche, but his essay “On the Use and Abuse of History for Life” from “The Untimely Meditations” (alternately translated as “Thoughts Out of Season”) is quite good and deals with this topic.

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