Heterotelia
The outcome and consequences of an action whose effects are radically contrary to its intended or proclaimed aim (from the Greek hetero and télos meaning ‘other’ and ‘ends’).
In general, heterotelia is the lot of all utopian ideologies and dogmatic religions, particularly those advocating egalitarianism, humanitarianism, and anti-racism.
A few examples: the massacres and wars perpetuated in the name of ‘the God of love and the poor’; ideologies of liberation and emancipation which inevitably culminate in totalitarianism; Left-wing socialist programs that create poverty, fiscalism, bureaucratism, and a new class of speculators; academic ideologies of anti-selection that bring about growing inequalities, a ‘two-tiered school’ system, a bargain-basement curriculum for those of modest income, and a savage or nepotistic admission procedure for professional life (the social jungle); the law of the 35-hour work week, which aggravates work routines, penalises enterprises, and, in the long run, harms wage earners;[1] anti-racism and the construction of a multi-racial society, which provokes xenophobia and ethnic tensions; permissiveness and the refusal of strong anti-delinquency measures justified in the name of a libertarianism favouring insecurity and violence; laws against layoffs which end up discouraging hiring; excessive protection of renters that dampens housing construction; growing taxes that narrow the tax base, etc.
The most general and visible expression of heterotelia is the excessive defence of an individual liberty that ends up restraining it.
This political heterotelia, distinct to egalitarian ideology, is based on a refusal of the real and a profound misunderstanding of human behaviour, economic realities, and social mechanisms.
(see liberty)
- ↑ In February 2000, a coalition of Leftist parties in France lowered the legal duration of the standard working week from 39 to 35 hours.
