Читать книгу Livin' la Vida Barroca. American Culture in an Age of Imperial Orthodoxies онлайн

61 страница из 84

It is often said that this is different because such entities run these campaigns largely with private funds. But, of course, this is flatly untrue in the case of the Pentagon. And if there is anything that has been laid bare by the financial crises of the last decade it is the extent to which the supposedly hard division between public and private initiative can, and does, exist.

But just for the sake of argument, let’s assume that post-Powell conservatives are sincere in their passionate pursuit of ideological balance. Wouldn’t that require them to make sure it exists in every crucial decision-making sector of the society including corporate board rooms, the military high commend and each and every law firm, hospital or small business?

I don’t know about you, but I won’t be holding my breath waiting for these things to happen.

So, if it isn’t really about the pursuit of ideological diversity, what is the vaunted Conservative insistence on ideological balance really all about?

It is, as they in boxing, about finding a way to “punch above their weight” in public debates.