Every civilization has myths. As others have pointed out, this is not necessarily a bad thing, in fact in certain regards healthy myths are essential. In general, myths of any civilization help provide a social cohesion and a foundation upon which to build the structure of political economy and culture. For millennia, myths were upheld and propagated by priesthoods, sanctified in temples and cathedrals, or by emperors and kings in palaces and castles. Today, American myths are upheld by PhDs in universities, media barons in corporate towers, and politicians enthroned under faux Imperial Roman domes. Myth making is a perpetual human activity. Healthy myths created in good faith are responsible acts for any civilization. They reach beyond contemporary knowledge and extend the known into the speculative, attempting to create a more encompassing narrative. In many cases myth and reality become entwined to such an extent they are difficult to disassociate. A civilization faces crisis when reality begins to surpass or shatter its myths. Which brings us to our present dilemma, It has become increasingly clear, even to the most casual observer that Western politics has withered.
A new reality encroaches on many of the myths of Western political economy. At a time when the political class has grown ever more self-congratulatory about the invincibility of its myths, they seem increasingly empty. Myths developed over the last several centuries to help define modern Western life, especially in the area of political economy, are failing. Amongst others, the doctrines of the nation state, the efficiency of representative political systems, and the industrial capital economic model of economy all seem to be running headlong into a new reality. Upon these pi ...