How is Pynchon a conservative?

[Joseph Tracy]

Terrance: Pynchon is a conservative because he is opposed to a large, powerful,
managerial state that intrudes unnecessarily into the lives of the
citizens.
Lefties, including dissident lefties, by contrast, believe in a big
government with the power over citizens to achieve liberal ends.

I have to say that I thought these definitions rang hollow when I first heard them in high school in the 60's. They  ignore the the tremendous power of  the non-state  corporate managerial class.  They ignore the needs and complexities of  a technological and industrial society  with large infrastructures. The word "over" in the second definition is loaded and rings false.  Why is it so often "lefties" who lead the fight for civil rights, and against government intrusiveness.  I think these kinds of definitions are often used to avoid the hard work of building democratic concsensus around core values and pragmatic decisions serving the common good. As far as I can tell, Pynchon defines his political ideas by exploring the character  and direction of the people whose lives shape his books, and there is a lot of paradox to be found in these lives.

Joseph Tracy
brook7 at earthlink.net
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.
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