I agree. Moldbug equivocates between two instances of ‘power’ (hard power vs. soft power, i.e. political influence) which have very different properties. Moreover, he misrepresents the purpose of civil disobedience. Civil disobedience can create hard power where none existed before, as well as increase a group’s political influence by acting as a coordination mechanism. He suggests that civil right activists would have had “hard power” over their opponents, even absent their political activism; but this is simply untenable.
Suggesting that “elite Universalist/Progressive opinion changed, and this is why Dr. King’s activism was successful” is circular. In fact, shifts in public opinion (even among so-called “elites”) are part of the political process, and influenced by political factors.
I agree. Moldbug equivocates between two instances of ‘power’ (hard power vs. soft power, i.e. political influence) which have very different properties. Moreover, he misrepresents the purpose of civil disobedience. Civil disobedience can create hard power where none existed before, as well as increase a group’s political influence by acting as a coordination mechanism. He suggests that civil right activists would have had “hard power” over their opponents, even absent their political activism; but this is simply untenable.
Suggesting that “elite Universalist/Progressive opinion changed, and this is why Dr. King’s activism was successful” is circular. In fact, shifts in public opinion (even among so-called “elites”) are part of the political process, and influenced by political factors.