I want to be alone

Still think that Daniel Bell's 'cultural contradictions' has many insightful things to say. Of course, one could argue whether it's a cultural contradiction, or a political one..or is it really just a tension within the political tradition, one that has been there since the beginning of modernity: namely: between equality and fraternity on the one hand, and liberty on the other? The market and the republic?

Thought this was very interesting. Reminded me of David Goodhart's thought provoking 'Too diverse?'

So, can one still cling on to values that are conservative whilst simultaneously espousing liberal economic ones? Is there a deep connection between the Romantic individual who is fundamentally distrustful of hierarchy, order, anything that is merely 'given' and homo economicus who values autonomy above everything else? [not taking into account the conservative radical].

Wasn't a 'market society' supposed to be a society of equals, the market as a paradigm for social relations (Charles Taylor)? The market as a dynamic political force that disrupted and overturned the structures of dominance (the state, organized religion, feudalism (Braudel))? Ultimately, a de-politicizing force so that one could be left to one's private pursuits: fishing, reading, etc., etc.

I want to be left alone. Of course there's a kind of freedom in that. But the interesting thing in the Lilla article is how it appears that we want to be alone with our own tribe: The Big Sort. (..also: Putnam, Baqir/Alessina)...to live in a gated community, a virtual world that isn't as messy and complicated as the real one...to find the perfect life.

"As laissez-faire market forces sweep the globe and the earth's future seems endangered, the dream of living in concert with nature and with one another is increasingly essential"
--from Joel Sternfeld's 'Sweet Earth'