Richard Barrett’s Nationalist Reveille

[gardenstate]

With what seems to be the current focus on receiving the good graces from the libertarian Lew Rockwell nationalists, the following passages will introduce the reader to the philosophy of the late Richard Barrett's American nationalism.

Richard Barrett on:

The Constitution and Union. Barrett expresses his sympathy for Hamiltonian nationalism. The years between1812 and 1815 were a bad period for 'libertarians", as the American people didn't like seeing their capital burned down and the president of their country having to flee due to Jefferson's previous administrationpolicy of having only a 3,000 man active army. Ideas have consequences.

from Richard Barrett's The Commission page 212:

"...it would be unnatural for like-minded, kindred people, joined in social contract, to give no thought to advancing their own nationality. The spirit of nationalism is inherent in the existence of the nation and in the spirit of self-preservation.

The nationalists, who envisioned strengthening the government, creating a standing army and navy, marshaling the forces of commerce, raising revenues, annexing Canada and expanding the Western frontier, were perplexed at every step by sectionalists. Patrick Henry passionately, but erroneously, argued that the sheer size and power of a strong national government necessarily leads to tyranny, but since the American experiment was unique he could cite no precedent for his claim. Calhoun championed the anomaly that the nation might be weak in its domestic affairs yet somehow bold in war and in international dealings, but his prime model was Poland which was weak in all its undertakings. Could not the best government be both free and efficient, strong and democratic? Hamilton contended that it could, but, until the modern age, cohesive, centralized popular rule seemed not only impossible, but unnecessary."

Richard Barrett on:

Race and Country. Ethnic nationalismcontra civic nationalism. As neoconservatives and libertarians extol the liberal tradition of civic nationalism , Barrett defines nation in terms of blood and soil.

from The Commission page 285:

"Pride of race and nationality, whether it be called patriotic, nationalistic, right-wing or, even, militaristic, summons Paul Reveres and secures strong boundaries.

Once their boundaries were secured, our Roman forebearers incorporated new, but homogeneous, people within their lands, during which time their splendor was untold. Our pilgrim and pioneer ancestors didi likewise, admitting only homogeneous peoples, excluding the Indians and Mexicans, during which time their progress was, also, unmatched. When non-homogeneous Mongols and Tartars were admitted to the Roman Empire, their leprosied-like, alien touch withered the defenses, the morale and the racial solidarity of the realm in much the same way that the immigration and proliferation of non-whites upon American shores has disrupted our society.

The unassimable stranger outside the gate, be it Constantinople or New York, when brought within the gate, repeats the tragedy of the Trojan horse again and again."

Richard Barrett on:

Labor and Economics. Barrett calls for agriculture and commerce to be greatly centralized. Opposite of the anarcho-capitalist/ libertarian view which talks incessantly about some mythical "invisible hand" and how unrestricted free-trade is good for the American worker. Agree with Barrett's Social Credit economic philosophy, or not, this is what he has to say. I preferBarrett's economic nationalism over the laisse-faire capitalistdogma. Albeit, with some disagreements.

from The Commission page 258-259:

"What good does it do to pint to the gold in Fort Knox, while the honest worker can point to his empty pocket? Economic democracy demands that workers and government join hands in the marketplace and workplace to assure honest work, honest value and honest exchange.

When the people and the nation have become one, the government's charging the worker interest will be as unseemly as a wife's surcharging her husband. Housing, education and the family and human needs command the extension of interest-free loans or grants as a national priority, with forgiveness of all or portions of loans where repayment is in services vital to the country, instead of rewarding bankers and Shylocks with the price of four, five or more homes for every one financed by them for the wage earner, as at present. Therefore the issuance and control of currency, based interest- free on production, not interest, enhances the value of goods and services and, consequently, encourages thrift, living with means and balanced budgets, all without inflation.

The ability of an economic system to respond to, allocate or plan for long-range goals or short-term needs cries out that prosperity that is not predictable is not possible."