Re: The "stupid" masses
Robin Hanson (hanson@hss.caltech.edu)
Thu, 26 Dec 1996 20:22:38 -0800 (PST)
Alexander Chislenko writes:
>>I agree with James. When you see behavior you don't understand,
>>you're first reaction shouldn't be to assume stupidity -- it is more
>>likely that your understanding of the social context is lacking.
>
>What if I see the behaviour I do not *agree* with?
>For example, the populace that votes for somebody who promised them no
>taxes and lots of free booze. This may look like a good idea to every
>particular person, but politically it may be disastrous. ...
>at the same time requires no qualification for taking part in the
>political decision-making process. No wonder political structures
>in this country stink more than toilets. ...
>The voting process oversimplifies the issues to create an illusion
>that everybody can understand international politics and economic and
>military strategies ...
This is a direct example of my claim. You see people vote for
politicians you don't like, and you conclude it must be because they
have been fooled, that they are under an "illusion". Maybe, to the
contrary, most voters are well aware of these various negative aspects
of our political systems. Maybe the reason they don't all demand a
change is that they don't know of a better political system.
Robin D. Hanson hanson@hss.caltech.edu http://hss.caltech.edu/~hanson/