If You Can’t Get Even, Get Mean

Apr 13 2025 The Guardian

George Monbiot’s opinion piece in The Guardian.

Rightwing populists will keep winning until we grasp this truth about human nature

As the headline says, Monbiot talks about right-wing populists, and the effect of rising inequality, which fuels resentment against the establishment.

I would argue that this is true for any populist, regardless of their political persuasion, be it right-wing or left-wing, and that this is especially true of any really revolutionary movement. Just look at any revolution in human history, the French and the Russian being prime examples. If you can’t get even, get mean, and totally destroy the old order.

We all know how those revolutions ended, and this piece is a good reminder for the people in power to actually do something about inequality, not just talk about it.

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And I should add that I am not endorsing left-wing or right-wing politics with my next comments. What I would like to see is long term responsible and strategic politics for the good of the society.

Left-wing politics has equality in its DNA, so it is often assumed that right-wing politics is against it. But responsible, strategic and long term focused right-wing politics will promote equality and will try to raise the living standards for everyone.

It is a no-brainer; commerce likes stability and predictability, and an equal and well functioning society will provide that. An equal society, which has a large middle class, and a good social safety net, will be a good and safe place to invest in. Investments create jobs and steady jobs mean higher living standards, and higher living standards promote equality and thus societal stability, which is good for investments. A positive cycle and a classic win-win-win situation.

Probably do not need to remind anyone reading this blog, that business in general does not like uncertainty and unpredictability, they are very bad for business. And from a long term point of view, one of the worst options is a revolution.

A good social safety net takes care of the less fortunate, and prevents economic anxiety turning into resentment and division. By promoting trust in government, a functioning safety net basically takes away the rationale from populists politicians.

All responsible and sensible politicians will promote equality and a stable society, the differences are mainly in the how to do this, not if we should do this.

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Obviously, as we all know, not all politicians are responsible or sensible, there are some in powerful positions, who could be described as toxic populists.

We do not live in a perfect world, yet. But that does not mean we shouldn’t try to make this world a better place to live in.