Big government Quote by Mark Steyn
““At first, it seemed bizarre to find the progressive left making common cause with radical Islam. One half of the alliance professed to be pro-gay, pro-feminist, pro-whatever's-your-bag secularists; the other half were homophobic, misogynist, anti-any-groove-you-dig theocrats...it made no sense. But in fact what they had in common overrode their superficially more obvious incompatibilities, both the secular Big Government progressive and the political Islam recoiled from the concept of the citizen, of the free individual entrusted to operate within his own space, assume his responsibilities, and exploit his potential.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Spectacle of the Left and Radical Islam, 2012
The alliance between secular progressives and political Islam is driven by shared opposition to individual autonomy, despite their surface contradictions.
In simple terms: Both groups resist personal freedom.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden commonalities in political coalitions.
Themes
politics
ideology
coalitions
individualism
freedom
Mood
cautious
critical
analytical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- social movements
- community organizing
- activist strategy
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
collectivism
identity politics
Questions to Reflect On
- What values are sacrificed for political convenience?
- How can we promote individual liberty within collective movements?
A Different Perspective
Such alliances can undermine democratic values and human rights.
![“For all the strides the Nation [of Islam] had made in promoting self-improvement in the lives of its members, its political isolation had left it powerless to change the external conditions that bounded their freedoms (177).” quote by Manning Marable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/41d/manning-marable-9023_freedom_for-all-the-strides-the-nation-of-islam_2451815.jpg)
![“Liberal politics are incompatible with . . . a [religious] community, unless it is further believed that the individual members of the community have been endowed with reason and free will by their Creator and that they have no certain knowledge of what were/are the Creator’s intentions. —Leonard…” quote by Mustafa Akyol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ff2/mustafa-akyol-15064_islam_liberal-politics-are-incompatible-with-a_1549946.jpg)
