----- Original Message ----- From: "Eubulides" <paraconsistent at comcast.net>
But now that you mention it, it is very close to the concept of plebiscitary dictatorship. A media mediated cesaerism.
Michael
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Or, in keeping with the privatization of the State's functions, one could see it as of a piece with the work of Bruce Benson and other radical libertarians calling for the privatization of criminal justice based on a reading of how the State expropriated customary law; the Bushies want to bring about an end to such an expropriation and establish a timocracy.
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Lbo-ster's,
Michael Pollack was kind enough and astute enough to suggest that I might want to establish the context for the use of timocracy since both Aristotle and Plato had conceptions of the term. My use follows Plato from the Republic. My pursuit of the passage came from my reading of Peter Singer's "Corporate Warriors" earlier today in which Singer mentions timocracy and post-Westphalian markets for violence and legal formations as a *possible future* form of governance driven by contemporary trends:
They say that the two races, the iron and brass, and the silver and gold, will draw the State different ways;-- the one will take to trade and moneymaking, and the others, having the true riches and not caring for money, will resist them: the contest will end in a compromise; they will agree to have private property, and will enslave their fellow-citizens who were once their friends and nurturers. But they will retain their warlike character, and will be chiefly occupied in fighting and exercising rule. Thus arises timocracy, which is intermediate between aristocracy and oligarchy.
The new form of government resembles the ideal in obedience to rulers and contempt for trade, and having common meals, and in devotion to warlike and gymnastic exercises. But corruption has crept into philosophy, and simplicity of character, which was once her note, is now looked for only in the military class. Arts of war begin to prevail over arts of peace; the ruler is no longer a philosopher; as in oligarchies, there springs up among them an extravagant love of gain--get another man's and save your own, is their principle; and they have dark places in which they hoard their gold and silver, for the use of their women and others; they take their pleasures by stealth, like boys who are running away from their father--the law; and their education is not inspired by the Muse, but imposed by the strong arm of power. The leading characteristic of this State is party spirit and ambition.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_text_plato_rep8.htm