On Feb 24, 2012, at 1:43 PM, Eric Beck wrote:
> Is there are name for this rhetorical device, the one where you
> summarize your opponent's views as the thing that you know would be
> most diametrically opposed to what they expressly believe?
David Graeber:
> well I just noticed there was a pattern.
> Civil Rights movement, with mass revival of civil disobedience, direct democracy movements (Port Huron statement) - government both gives big concessions and starts overseas war (Vietnam)
> Anti-Nuclear movement, rapid rise of movement based on CD, direct democracy, again govt seems to panic unduly, make surprising concessions, and right afterwards ends detente and starts proxy wars (Afghanistan, Central America)
> Global Justice movement followed by surprising concessions (well, surprised us how quick) and war on terror