Re: The "stupid" masses
Michael Lorrey (retroman@tpk.net)
Thu, 26 Dec 1996 23:59:06 -0500
Robin Hanson wrote:
>
> 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.
WHich, if change were needed would be obvious evidence of stupidity. If
they had any intelligence they would be demanding change with all sorts
of bright ideas. People get the government they vote for. If its a
screwed up government that cant pull its head out of its ass, that is
representative of the same situation existing in the people who voted
for that government. Of course, if nothing is being done, it is possible
that the people are satisfied with how things are and don't want
anything to be changed, which from a libertarian sense is almost as good
as having no government at all.
>
> Robin D. Hanson hanson@hss.caltech.edu http://hss.caltech.edu/~hanson/
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