475. Threat From South America | Axel Kaiser

At a Glance

• Axel Kaiser’s Background - “He’s a Chilean German lawyer, a master in investments, commerce and arbitration, master of arts and doctor of philosophy from the University of Heidelberg in Germany.” Provides credibility to the discussion on political and ideological situations in South America.

• Venezuela’s Economic Crisis - “If you’ve been in a situation where economic security has been granted to you in some ways effortlessly for several generations even, it’s also perhaps much easier to default to that ethos of care and to attend to the outliers in society who haven’t served themselves well.” Highlights the consequences of socialist policies in Venezuela.

• Spread of Socialist Ideology - “The Castro vision was to spread the revolution all over Latin America. In his worldview, what he was doing, believe it or not, is Christ’s work on earth.” Shows the influence of socialist ideologies in Latin America.

• Impact of Left-Wing Beliefs - “We did a study in 2016 looking at personality and cognitive predictors of politically correct authoritarianism. The things that predicted it were low verbal intelligence.” Discusses the predictors of left-wing authoritarianism.

• Argentina’s Economic Situation - “If you had the same level of incompetence and corruption and power, you would have inflation at over 15,000% in Argentina right now.” Illustrates the economic challenges faced by Argentina.

• Default Human Moral Stance - “The default human moral stance is probably left wing… The default human moral stance is probably left wing.” Explores the underlying ethos of care and equality of outcome in human nature.

What to Do

• ‘Struggle against equality of outcome in small groups’ - By recognizing and challenging the default human position of equality of outcome in small groups, individuals can work towards creating a meritocratic society that values hard work and conscientiousness.

• ‘Understand the battle between instinctive care and cold-hearted meritocracy’ - Recognize the conflict between the instinctive orientation towards care and the higher order cognitive interpretation associated with conscientiousness. This understanding can help navigate political landscapes and personal decision-making.

• ‘Focus on cultural revolution for positive change’ - Embrace cultural revolutions that promote positive change, such as the transformation happening in Argentina. By recognizing and supporting cultural shifts towards prosperity and freedom, individuals can contribute to long-lasting societal improvements.

What to Get

-Not Much Here

Summary

This podcast episode features a conversation between two individuals discussing the political and ideological situation in South America, with a focus on Venezuela. The guest, Axel Kaiser Berens von Hohenhagen, provides insights into the current situation in Venezuela, highlighting the consequences of decades of socialism and the challenges of voting out socialist dictators in the absence of strong institutions. The conversation delves into the impact of leftist ideologies on South America, particularly in countries like Argentina, where a shift towards leftist policies has led to economic instability and corruption.

The discussion also touches on the concept of social justice and the default human moral stance, suggesting that the instinct for equality of outcome and care for others may be deeply ingrained in human nature. The conversation explores the tension between this care ethos and the need for meritocracy and conscientiousness in a complex society, pointing out the challenges of socializing individuals to balance these competing values.

Overall, the episode raises important questions about the role of socialism, communism, and nationalism in shaping political landscapes, both in South America and the West. It emphasizes the fragility of civilization and the need to navigate the complexities of governance, economics, and social justice to ensure stability and prosperity for all. The conversation offers a thought-provoking analysis of current events and historical trends, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities facing countries in the region.