My good friend and former classmate, Lance A. Ward, forwarded me a copy of Elena Kagan’s thesis on socialism. Granted I have only skimmed though it so far, but I did find the following paragraph at the opening of her conclusion.
In our own times, a coherent socialist movement is nowhere to be found in the United States. Americans are more likely to speak of a golden past than of a golden future, of capitalism’s glories than of socialism’s greatness. Conformity overrides dissent; the desire to conserve has overwhelmed the urge to alter. Such a state of affairs cries out for explanation.
Now, in fairness I have not seen where Elena Kagan explicitly advocates socialism. However, the overtone of her thesis is very positive about the history of socialism in the United States, and of course discusses the decline of socialism after the 1930′s, specifically in reference to the state of New York.
Well, here is my brief explanation.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s because socialism doesn’t work long-term. Maybe, just maybe, it’s because most American’s don’t believe in being forced to spread their wealth. There, that wasn’t so hard was it?
edit: Apparently Princeton is asserting their copyright over the thesis. Too late Princeton, the genie is out of the bottle. If you know how to download and forward a PDF, then send it around. If you don’t then contact me. Let everyone have a chance to review the thesis before she is approved so you can make an informed decision on whether you agree with her appointment.
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I gave it a pretty good skim. While she doesn’t actually propose a socialist society, she certainly seems very sympathetic to it.
Tomorrow I’ll try to read it all, but it does get a little dull and redundant in places.
My sentiments exactly – very dull. However, I’m interested in her thought process.
Thanks for this Rex. I am going to link to this. Several of my readers will be interested. Much appreciation.
No problem Andy. Just trying to get the word out so everyone can be informed.
Per Obama, I want to make sure this ranks “high on the truth meter” and is a “tool of empowerment.”