The Identity of the Elites

The histories of both Egypt and Mesopotamia are fascinating, if nothing else because of just how old they are. It really is difficult to comprehend just how ancient these civilizations are, especially for a Southerner whose history only goes back to the 1600s. There is a greater gap between the time the pyramids were built and Cleopatra than there is between the time of Cleopatra and now. Additionally, it is almost unfathomable how old Mesopotamia is, the very first empires would emerge from this region. However, the history of both regions is also sobering. Despite the massive head start both Egypt and Mesopotamia enjoyed, it has also been their fate to be ruled by others.

In 343 BC, the Persians conquered Egypt, resulting in a long period of foreign domination. The Persians likewise conquered Babylon in 539 BC, beginning a lengthy phase of foreign rule over Mesopotamia. These were not temporary, neither would enjoy native rule again until the 20^th century. Why this happened, why neither were able to reassert themselves ever again, is a subject far too complex for a single article, a book would be far more appropriate. What is important to understand is what the Persian conquest meant. Once proud, Egypt would be a mere province in another empire; mighty Mesopotamia, the very region that gave birth to the concept of “empire,” would find itself relegated to the same fate.

Notice I wrote, “native rule.” That is an important clarification that needs explanation, as many times both nations would be the center of other political states. Following the breakup of Alexander’s empire, Egypt would become part of the Polemic Dynasty, centered on Egypt. Cairo would later become the capital of several Islamic empires, most notably the Fatimid Caliphate. Later on, in one of the most bizarre episodes of history, the Ottomans elicited the help of an Albanian general, Muhammad Ali Pasha, to drive Napoleon out of Egypt. He did that, but then rebelled against the Ottomans and set up a quasi-independent kingdom of his own; in the late 19^th century, Egypt would be part independent, part British, and part Ottoman. Mesopotamian history after the Persian conquest would function much the same way. Due to its central location, it was considered an attractive spot for a capital. Alexander had planned to install his capital there, and subsequently several Islamic Empires would follow suit.

However, none of this points to native rule. Though the capitals may have been in Egypt or Mesopotamia, the rulers did not view themselves as Egyptian or Mesopotamian. The Ptolemaic Dynasty considered themselves as Greek, and the Islamic kingdoms viewed themselves as Arabs. Muhammad Ali Pasha and his dynasty were Albanians. They were not Egyptians, they just happened to live in Egypt. Not only were they not Egyptians, but they also actively looked down on the native population of Egypt. The Egyptian peasantry has a long reputation of being treated poorly, even by the standards of the day. Much of this same phenomenon occurred in Mesopotamia. Alexander the Great was Greek. Although he planned to place his capital in Mesopotamia (specifically, Babylon), his ultimate goal was to create a Greco-Persian hybrid civilization, the Mesopotamians were to be excluded.

How the elites of a nation view themselves matters in regard to the welfare of the greater population, and identity matters more than strict genetics. If someone in 1916 were to ask me if England was self-governing, I would answer yes, even though the ruling family were ethnic Germans. Their genetics aside, they viewed themselves as English. They would change their family name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the far more English “Windsor,” in a sign of solidarity with their people during a war with Germany. And while one may argue that the Windsors are mere figureheads and thus do not count, keep in mind that the English aristocracy is largely derived from the French, yet they understood themselves as English first and foremost. And besides, a great number of the European ruling dynasties at the eve of the Great War were either fully or partially ethnic Germans, but their solidarity was with their respective peoples.

By understanding the importance of how the elites view themselves, we can comprehend one of the greatest problems plaguing Dixie – the elites do not consider themselves Southern. In 1942, not only were Dixie’s elites connected to the land, but they also knew themselves to be Southern, and their identification as Southern was even more important than a generic American identity. But by 1982, a shift had occurred. Although the elites still considered themselves Southern, a generic American identity had taken precedence over Dixian identity. Now, the situation is even more dire. At best, the elites see themselves as generic Americans, but often even this has been replaced with a “global citizen identity.” Dixie is just a place they live, and even when they do come from native Southern families, they want to run away from it, believing it be an embarrassment. And, of course, much of the elite in 2022 have no connection to Dixie whatsoever, other than just living here.

The Dixie elite of 1942 were Southern, and they had camaraderie with poor Southerners, too. They would have stopped immigration replacing native Southerners. They would have gone to all-out war with pharmaceutical companies knowingly selling highly dangerous drugs to unsuspecting, working-class Southerners. They would have prohibited the children of average Southerners being taught to hate themselves and they would have immediately eliminated Drag Queen Story Hour in a heartbeat. The current elite are either unwilling (complicit) or unable (cowardly) to stop Dixie’s decline.

This should not be taken as a condemnation of the idea of an elite. Such a concept is inevitable, and the Southern elite of the past served our country well. They were able to do so because they believed their Southerness was a source of pride rather than an embarrassment. Until Dixie is again ruled by Southerners, this situation will never end.