Parallax Max Borders, w. Owen Cox and Andrew Sweeny - The myth of America, part 2
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Mar 26, 2026 Max Borders, writer and instructor exploring America’s meaning. Owen Cox, historian and policy commentator linking Europe and political ideas. They debate America as ideal and danger. Conversations jump from meritocracy, finance and institutional capture to religion, demographics, and geopolitics. Moments consider empire, cultural revival, and the risks of modern power.
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American Revolution Favoured Merit Over Forced Hierarchy
- The American Revolution aimed to remove forced subordination while preserving emergent meritocratic hierarchies based on virtue and talent.
- Max Borders contrasts this with the Jacobins who sought material equality and tore out stabilizing institutions, causing social rupture.
Democracy Is Not The Same As Maximum Freedom
- Freedom and who rules are separate axes; democracy isn't automatically the most freedom-maximizing system for most people.
- Owen Cox cites an Austrian philosopher arguing maximum societal freedom can occur under different rule forms if people retain broad liberties.
Paper Profits Corrupt Politics And Produce Economic Fascism
- Large financial institutions and central banks sever profit from productive value, creating 'paper profits' detached from real economy.
- Max Borders warns political auctions of power let money buy influence, producing economic fascism without Mussolini.