While that is a very concise summary I do think it is very US-centric and that that in itself is an issue for the US. As an outsider I wonder if the US realises the crisis of legitimacy it is suffering in the rest of the world? Surely the pandemic has shown up cracks and issues across the world that are going to lead to huge political upheavals which will also impact the potential future for a stable democracy in the US?
Thank you for the well reasoned and well written piece. I would another argument against the main function of policing is the protection of property (instead of the reality of enforcing the 'social order' of the dominant social groups) is the lack of investigation and prosecution of white collar crimes and few IRS audits of the wealthy (George W. Bush eliminated a group of auditors that brought in over $5000/hour auditing the 1%). As I have been saying for years about the police, they focus on enforcing injustice ('social order') and protecting the rich from the rest of us. And as to impunity, I'd love to read a discussion on ICE and the Border Patrol.
I always enjoyed talking to Pat in grad school. It's a shame he's a Seahawks fan. Be that as it may, this is a very effective precis on our current crisis.
Thanks for your thoughts, Patrick! You might want to add climate change to the list? It's not as immediate, but is it unprecedented? You've covered the shifts in climate that came with the end of the Roman era and then the end of the medieval era (if I remember correctly?). It's a force in the global refugee crisis. In the United States it is causing mounting damage from floods, wildfires, and heat waves. Many of us see a need to address climate, equity, public health, and economic recovery together...
good companion piece to your Tides of History conversation with Mike Duncan
While that is a very concise summary I do think it is very US-centric and that that in itself is an issue for the US. As an outsider I wonder if the US realises the crisis of legitimacy it is suffering in the rest of the world? Surely the pandemic has shown up cracks and issues across the world that are going to lead to huge political upheavals which will also impact the potential future for a stable democracy in the US?
Thank you, Mr Wyman Appreciate my "informal education" thru your words.Yes, I have subscribed. Trish, Gold Beach,OR Coast
Great piece, Patrick. I also wanted to just say thankyou for not treating 'h' as a vowel. Seeing people do that drives me nuts.
Thank you for the well reasoned and well written piece. I would another argument against the main function of policing is the protection of property (instead of the reality of enforcing the 'social order' of the dominant social groups) is the lack of investigation and prosecution of white collar crimes and few IRS audits of the wealthy (George W. Bush eliminated a group of auditors that brought in over $5000/hour auditing the 1%). As I have been saying for years about the police, they focus on enforcing injustice ('social order') and protecting the rich from the rest of us. And as to impunity, I'd love to read a discussion on ICE and the Border Patrol.
I always enjoyed talking to Pat in grad school. It's a shame he's a Seahawks fan. Be that as it may, this is a very effective precis on our current crisis.
Great work as always
Thanks for your thoughts, Patrick! You might want to add climate change to the list? It's not as immediate, but is it unprecedented? You've covered the shifts in climate that came with the end of the Roman era and then the end of the medieval era (if I remember correctly?). It's a force in the global refugee crisis. In the United States it is causing mounting damage from floods, wildfires, and heat waves. Many of us see a need to address climate, equity, public health, and economic recovery together...
Loving the insight and commentary on your Twitter. It’s a small piece of sanity in this world.
Well thought out and expressed. Looking forward to your next insight
Great piece, clear and concise. Thanks, Pat!
Insightful...keep it up!
I am thankful for Patrick Wyman's crystallization of so many historic tides.