And how is it possible for a group with power to continually maintain it has none? Identity. By the time Reagan was in office, Mattson argues that the postmodern conservative had “embraced the status of permanent rebel against a liberal establishment, even though that liberal establishment was rather rickety by that point.” Clinging to such a status provides one, no matter the movement, with certain privileges. For example, because rebels lack authority, they need not be held accountable; their persecuted status inherently legitimizes their needs and desires; and if they’re fighting a tyrant,
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