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Source link: http://archive.mises.org/14328/why-the-state-needs-two-parties/

Why the state needs two parties

October 21, 2010 by

In Part One of As We Go Marching, John T. Flynn describes the rise of fascism in Italy. The following passages imply the need for two political parties.

A party on the left:

Thus in Italy, while individuals murmured against the growing debt, they continued as members of cities or villages or farming districts to fight valiantly for their share of the spendings. The people as beneficiaries were always more powerful than the same people as citizens.

A party on the right:

Some form of spending must be found that will command the support of the conservative groups. Political leaders, embarrassed by their subsidies to the poor, soon learned that one of the easiest ways to spend money is on military establishments and armaments, because it commands the support of the groups most opposed to spending.

And with those two satisfied, the state can expand with the support of the vast majority. At least until it collapses.

Note: Later in the chapter Flynn captures the truth — a truth proved once again as the Obama administration continues the concept of perpetual war for perpetual peace — with this nugget:

Among all the means for producing government-created income none is so successful as militarism.

{ 3 comments }

Bruce Koerber October 22, 2010 at 8:16 pm

It needs two parties because as soon as its lechery, drunkedness, and violent nature begins to catch attention the jerk skips off to the other party and repeats the vulgarities.

Walt D. October 23, 2010 at 10:17 am

If you ignore the normal pejorative connotation of the word fascism, it is more correct to describe the Obama administration as fascist, than it is to describe it as Marxist, communist or socialist.

Bill Smith October 24, 2010 at 10:04 pm

What would happen if there were no political parties? What if politicians were held to the same standards as business?, where there are laws against monopolies and collusion. Would your congressman, independent from pressure from one political gang or another be forced to poll his constituents and vote accordingly.

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