Comments on: Daily Blog - John E. Johnson, Jr. - April 15, 2008: A DEPRESSED ECONOMY IS A TIME RIPE FOR CRIMINAL FOLK HEROES. http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/blog/2008/04/15/daily-blog-john-e-johnson-jr-april-15-2008-a-depressed-economy-is-a-time-ripe-for-criminal-folk-heroes/ Secrets of Home Theater and Hi Fi Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:35:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: ovation http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/blog/2008/04/15/daily-blog-john-e-johnson-jr-april-15-2008-a-depressed-economy-is-a-time-ripe-for-criminal-folk-heroes/#comment-582 ovation Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:57:41 +0000 http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/blog/2008/04/15/daily-blog-john-e-johnson-jr-april-15-2008-a-depressed-economy-is-a-time-ripe-for-criminal-folk-heroes/#comment-582 It's the "Robin Hood" syndrome--only we appear to be less picky about the modern (19th century and beyond) versions as a society. Moreover, while "Robin Hood", in some form, likely did exist, the very scant knowledge we have of him is completely buried by the legend--he may well have been similarly "unbalanced" as Jesse James or Bonnie and Clyde. But there is a strong correlation, historically (I'm an historian, so I've seen a number of examples of this phenomenon), between bad economic times and a willingness to overlook some serious (at times appalling) flaws if it appears someone is "sticking it to the man". This phenomenon partly explains the support for (or, more frequently, tolerance of) some terrorist groups/activities around the world. Hamas would not enjoy a broad measure of influence if things were going swimmingly in the Palestinian territories (particularly Gaza), for example. As for who will emerge closer to home as the "(criminal) folk hero" of the day, it will be interesting to see. I should be very surprised if we DON'T see one emerge. It’s the “Robin Hood” syndrome–only we appear to be less picky about the modern (19th century and beyond) versions as a society. Moreover, while “Robin Hood”, in some form, likely did exist, the very scant knowledge we have of him is completely buried by the legend–he may well have been similarly “unbalanced” as Jesse James or Bonnie and Clyde.

But there is a strong correlation, historically (I’m an historian, so I’ve seen a number of examples of this phenomenon), between bad economic times and a willingness to overlook some serious (at times appalling) flaws if it appears someone is “sticking it to the man”.

This phenomenon partly explains the support for (or, more frequently, tolerance of) some terrorist groups/activities around the world. Hamas would not enjoy a broad measure of influence if things were going swimmingly in the Palestinian territories (particularly Gaza), for example. As for who will emerge closer to home as the “(criminal) folk hero” of the day, it will be interesting to see. I should be very surprised if we DON’T see one emerge.

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