Why Joseph Schumpeter Hated Democracy

John Medearis

Joseph Schumpeter saw firsthand the transformative power of democracy in Red Vienna Austria and New Deal America. But as a conservative, he recoiled at workers' challenges to traditional hierarchies — reminding us that the Right has always loathed democracy.

A 1938 strike in San Antonio, Texas.


The Right does not like democracy.

It is easy to forget that basic fact, given their regular participation in elections, their occasional statements praising totems of popular struggle, and their brazen attempts to cloak anti-democratic moves in the rhetorical garb of democracy.

But if the political right got its start defending monarchy and traditional hierarchies during the French Revolution, it never strayed from its roots.

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