The American Conservative has published an article titled "Eating Ourselves Alive" which discusses the destructive urge that goes beyond politics and war. The author recounts their experience as a witness in a libel trial involving Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, who was accused of cannibalism.
Taylor dropped the case, but the author notes that his reputation was already tarnished due to his use of drugged-up children as soldiers. The article also mentions Miatta Fahnbulleh, a British government official whose father, Henry Boima Fahnbulleh, was a Marxist radical and foreign minister in Liberia.
The author reflects on their visit to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, during a lull in the civil war, where they witnessed the destruction of the city. The destruction was not just a result of war, but also a symbolic act of iconoclasm, targeting the country's civilization and cultural institutions.
The author expresses concern that this kind of destructive urge is not limited to Liberia, but can be seen in Europe as well, where iconoclasm is often masquerading as a political purpose. The love of civilization is not universal, and some people may hate it due to feelings of insignificance or nullity.
The author warns that giving vent to this hatred can be justified as a desire for equality or social justice, and that demagogues often exploit this sentiment. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of recognizing the destructive urge and its potential consequences.