Classic Liberal Blog

Real conspiracies do exist, so it's foolish to pretend otherwise. But that doesn't mean all conspiracy analysis is good, and/or worth your attention. The real conspiracy problem arises from the mainstream perception that all conspiracies are bunk, thus leaving the bulk of conspiracy analysis to those with poor analytical skills.

First of all, I believe people act with purpose. In other words, people make conscience choices in order to achieve predetermined goals.

For example, the Democrats have been trying to pass socialized health care, precisely because they want socialized health care! Does anyone really believe the so-called "public option" is arbitrary, and /or simply an "unintended consequence" of altruistic politicians and bureaucrats?

Or do certain people benefit (in money and power) by passing such legislation?

What about "card check?" Is this just another whimsical circumstance brought on by our benevolent "leaders?" A circumstance that just happens to benefit the union fat cats and power brokers?

Let's be real here ... It is naive to believe that all events in government are simply unplanned or coincidence, and that people in government do not engage in purposive behavior and planning (of their own benefit).

Faulty Analysis

Today, bad conspiracy analysis dominates the field because too many others have been shunned from the topic. The problem this creates is that the charges of "paranoia," "crazy," and "nut" (to name a few) then appear to be true!

The first mistake of bad conspiracy analysis is to stop once the question "who benefits?" is answered. If legislation A benefits groups X and Y, then X and Y are guilty as charged!

The problem here, is finding out who benefits only develops a hypothesis which must be backed by facts. The hypothesis is not the answer itself.

The second problem I find with bad conspiracy analysis is what I call the "Puppet Master Theory." This is where they tie all conspiracy theories together in one, neat little package, consisting of a small group of men (in a smoky room) secretly controlling the world.

If a handful of men actually control the world, then the worst case scenario becomes fate, meaning there's nothing you can do. This causes paralysis.

The biggest hole in the "Puppet Master Theory" I believe though, is the delusion that there exists only one power bloc, when indeed it makes much more sense that there are many different competing power blocs (who may sometimes work together) trying to gain control of the government.

The Trilateral Commission

The Trilateral Commission is a favorite among conspiracy theorists, so let's take a look at it based on the idea that people do things not haphazardly, but with purpose of mind.

What is the Trilateral Commission?

The Trilateral Commission is a non-governmental, policy-oriented discussion group of about 350 distinguished citizens from Western Europe, North America and Pacific Asia formed to encourage mutual understanding and closer cooperation among these three regions on common problems.

It was hoped that a policy-oriented discussion group composed of members of high stature, but not including individuals currently holding posts in their national administrations, would help foster the habit and practice of working together among these three key regions by focused analysis of the main issues that lay ahead.

Back to the 1970's ... Founded by David Rockefeller and Zbigniew Brzezinski in 1973, the Trilateral Commission's stated purpose is to propose policies for the United States, Europe and Japan. It's American arm was heavily funded by David Rockefeller and Atlanta corporate interests, most notably the Coca-Cola Company (Georgia's biggest corporation).

What are we to believe?

Do we simply assume the Statist policy prescriptions recommended by Rockefeller's Trilateral Commission are merely altruistic endeavors with "unintended consequences?" Or is it more reasonable to believe there's purposeful economic interests involved?

Was Jimmy Carter named a member of the Trilateral Commission as soon as it was founded because Rockefeller and the others wanted to hear the wisdom of an obscure Georgia governor? Or was he pulled out of obscurity and made President via their support?

Was the head of Coca-Cola, J. Paul Austin, an early supporter of Jimmy Carter out of concern for the common good? Or did he support Carter based on his own economic interests?

Virtually the entire top leadership of the Carter administration, from Carter and Mondale on down, were all members of the Trilateral Commission. Were so many members of the Trilateral Commission chosen by Carter simply because he felt they were the best people for the job? If so, that's a coincidence that boggles the mind!

Or could it be ... that there's a sinister plot of political and economic interests involved?

Conclusion

I'll leave the answers to these questions up to you. My goal here is to simply point out that it's naive to assume the interplay of political and economic interests in government are nothing more than the benevolent actions of omnipotent people that unfortunately fall prey to "unintended consequences."

Ignoring conspiracy theories all together is every bit as bad of analysis as the "Puppet Master Theory." It may be foolish to believe a secret cabal of men control the world, but it's just as foolish to believe that government is pure and benevolent. And ignoring conspiracy theories all together ... throws away an essential tool for analyzing the world in which we live.