The Limits of Transactionalism

 I recently went to Spain for a seminar about Emmanuel Todd's book, "The Defeat of the West. " While I don't agree with all of Todd's ideas, I find the book engaging since it combines various theories to support its arguments. It's surprising that such a notable historian's work has not gained much attention in the U. S. , even though it discusses the cultural decline in societies that ignore clear realities.

Todd connects cultural decline with nihilism, meaning a lack of shared moral beliefs in society. He views the rise of Protestantism as vital to the West's dominance, arguing that the decline of this ethos among elites signals the end of Western prominence. He believes that societies need a common set of moral values derived from a higher power to inspire significant, creative actions. Without such norms, people tend to revert to their base instincts, leading to internal conflicts and eventual collapse.

I could criticize Democrats for damaging the human tendency to revere, particularly among the youth. However, it is essential to acknowledge that this ground was already prepared by Republicans through fear and harsh social divisions following September 11.

The way people discuss issues has been limited by the words available to them. Those controlling media understand that limiting discourse helps them achieve their goals, as seen after September 11, where questioning narratives was discouraged. This pattern repeated itself during the COVID-19 response.

Americans often take a transactional approach to interactions, which has been evident with the recent election of a transactional President. While this approach has its merits, particularly in foreign policy, it can overlook the necessity of establishing a commonly accepted moral framework. Transactionalism tends to manipulate existing realities and may neglect what a society needs to strive for ethically in the future.

My assessment suggests that the President's vision focuses mainly on restoring material prosperity, respecting authority like the military and police, and transforming the U. S. into a promoter of peace. However, pursuing material gains alone does not address Todd's concern regarding cultural nihilism. We risk accelerating our decline by prioritizing materialism over higher goals.

The focus on authority figures like the military creates problems by narrowing the scope of social role models, shifting to an excessive emphasis on military service. This limits our understanding of good character and the “good life. ” Additionally, advocating for peace becomes challenging when the U. S. is seen as indifferent to the suffering of children abroad.

Focusing predominantly on those who accumulate wealth or achieve fame does not provide a holistic view of exemplary behavior. It's crucial to discuss what it means to live a fulfilling life beyond economic success or titles. Many may avoid contemplating these essential questions because of societal pressures to remain pragmatic and efficient.

The broader historical context reveals that those focused solely on pragmatic concerns may miss enriching experiences associated with deeper, spiritual thinking. Key figures have argued that true satisfaction comes from aligning our inner beliefs with our outward actions and discussions, suggesting we need to reconnect with our spiritual side to develop a new societal ethos.

If Todd is correct about the loss of the spiritual ethos that contributed to Western success, we must actively work to build a new social creed. This undertaking must recognize that those fixated on material concerns often lose touch with a deeper understanding of their surroundings.

https://brownstone.org/articles/the-limits-of-transactionalism/