Few if any analysts see Mr. Trump as a Stalin, who crushed science, or even as a direct analog to this era’s strongmen leaders. But his assault on researchers and their institutions is so deep that historians and other experts see similarities to the playbook employed by autocratic regimes to curb science.
How Trump is like Stalin
- Thread starter Hume
- Start date
“Despots want science that has practical results,” said Paul R. Josephson, an emeritus professor of history at Colby College and author of a book on totalitarian science. “They’re afraid that basic knowledge will expose their false claims.”
anonymoose
Classical Liberal
Now that’s a new twist. He’s a combination of Hitler and Stalin, ideological opposites.
How were they ideological opposites? I assume you know nothing about history, but go ahead.
"The deadliest attacks on basic science came from Stalin, the Soviet dictator. In the 1930s, he had thousands of scientists shot or consigned to slave labor.
In addition, he echoed the Nazi push for ideological purity by elevating scientists who forcefully backed Marxism. Trofim Lysenko, an agronomist who dominated Soviet biological studies between 1935 and 1965, used his influence with Stalin to reject modern genetics as official policy. The results crippled Soviet agriculture and contributed to famines that killed millions of people."
In addition, he echoed the Nazi push for ideological purity by elevating scientists who forcefully backed Marxism. Trofim Lysenko, an agronomist who dominated Soviet biological studies between 1935 and 1965, used his influence with Stalin to reject modern genetics as official policy. The results crippled Soviet agriculture and contributed to famines that killed millions of people."
anonymoose
Classical Liberal
Hitler was a fascist. Stalin, Marxist-Bolshevik. Opposites.
So? Both totalitarians.
anonymoose
Classical Liberal
Ideological opposite totalitarians.
No difference in effect.
Well Trump and Stalin both hated Fascists and Nazis.
uh huh
BartenderElite
Verified User
It's not about ideology when it comes to these comparisons.
pictures get ignore. byeGlad you agree!
T. A. Gardner
Serial Thread Killer
Stalin "crushed science?" Really? I don't think so.
Stalin did make obedience to the state (and himself) a paramount issue but that went across the board, not just in fields of science. During the 20's and 30's the Soviet Union made some great strides forward towards industrialization and invention. Some invention and science came from political prisoners.
Where is Trump "crush(ing) science?"
Trump does no wrong...blah blah blah
T. A. Gardner
Serial Thread Killer
Both Hitler and Stalin were Leftist dictators. It was only in trivial ways the two differed.
AProudLefty
The remora of JPP
Still with that propaganda?
T. A. Gardner
Serial Thread Killer
So, you can't back your original thesis here with anything of substance beyond that op ed piece in the NYT that's behind a paywall.
Trump is awesome....