Why People Are Economically Conservative

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Note: This video is the last in a series which debunks myths pertinent to laissez-faire capitalism. A reasonably thorough debunking of economic conservatism can be found at the above link.

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Given all of the above reasons not to be economically conservative, one might reasonably ask why people think this way. As with nearly any complex question, of course, there are many often interrelated facets to this. Here are some of what we hypothesize are some of the most common:

• People make honest errors of judgment.

• People simply lack exposure to facts about the effects economically conservative philosophies have had on our world. It is generally not in the interests of the powerful for us to know about the vast amount of poverty and the sheer scope of inequality and injustice in the world, and it is to a very large extent the powerful who control the way information is distributed in our society.

• Even when presented with evidence to the contrary, people tend to believe that the world is fundamentally a fair place. The facts may seem far away, or divorced from our everyday experience, making them easier to deny. This is called the Just World Effect.

• People have a tendency to assume that personal characteristics, rather than situations and environment, are usually the primary cause of other people's actions. This is called the fundamental attribution error.

• It's a way of justifying your own wealth and privilege. If you believe it's perfectly ethical to live in excess when others lack the resources to meet their basic needs, you can eliminate uncomfortable cognitive dissonance. It's very convenient to believe that what's moral also happens to be what one wants to do anyway.

• It's a justification for why you're better than other people. If you believe that wealth and privilege are rewards from god, karma, the nature or reality, or something similar, you can believe that you deserve these things simply by virtue of having them. This is especially likely to be a cause of economically conservative beliefs among those who were once poor or miserable (or perceived themselves this way) and have since become successful.

• Most people have had been inundated all their lives with conventional concepts of ethics which emphasize caring about other people. No matter how neglected these ideas may be in practice, it's easy to tire of hearing them repeated, causing people to rebel against them.

• Even if you aren't particularly successful, it feels good to think of yourself as such. Even when you know you're neither prosperous nor powerful, it can be exciting to...

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• capitalism
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• conservative
• economics
• empathy
• happiness
• libertarian
• reason
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• republican
• socialism

[catgumart]

Another thing about "New Age" type stuff (that's a broad label-I'm sorry for that- but for the sake of convenience I'll use it) & I I love yoga,juicing,aiming for the positive, energy cultivation etc,but there are many libertarian types in this domain who think if you're poor it is a consciousness- they have some beliefs that seem unfalsifiable that seem to justify class,or wealth disparity & they don't acknowledge the extent that economic factors exert on a persons ability to have happiness

[catgumart]

The "just world effect" - I like certain aspects of of what is known as the "new age" movement- I like yogic raw food,juicing,dance,art, right brain cultivation, etc...but I don't quite fit in with them sometimes-like I have a skeptical mind (I do acknowledge I am failable) So when people talk about karma or magic or destiny or fate- all I can think about is "just world effect" because if you have a hard time then people can say "you must have bad karma-too bad." I believe in sharing wealth-

[FreeEcon]

This is only true if we forget that there are economic and philosophical arguments in favor of economic "conservatism" (if that's the label you want to use)

[catgumart]

@ineptsegue

I know some challenge me & say "What do you do?" because In my circumstances & with my personal issues/characteristics.Im limited in what & how much I can take on,though Im concerned-& Im greatly effected & vulnerable by problems in our world-Im not in a cozy position.Im hoping people can get informed & speak out & agree on a direction to point the bow of the ship of society that will bring more happiness & opportunity for all-& Id like to be one of those voices- but its complex

[catgumart]

@ineptsegue

It is hard to talk about issues of importance with many people-1. They are under informed & all this stuff is above their heads & they are more concerned with a very narrow conventional routine that doesn't include reflection of any meaningful 2. They may worry about their past errors in life & rather avoid subjects that delve very deep 3. they may benefit somehow from the way things are 4. They may not like the unpleasant feelings that arise when confronting these problems.

[catgumart]

It is weird that you bring up blame because I was just talking (or trying desperately to talk as she is reluctant to talk about anything which frustrates me-the same goes for most people I know-they just don't talk about these important issues even as they effect them daily) with my mom about blame & how it gets it surfaces right away--so many things go wrong in all human endeavor & our human pride is at stake--& in many ways we can be very unmerciful to each other--

[catgumart]

I just watched a long interview with Jacques Fresco of the Venus project & I was very impressed with his ideas & him as a thinker-- I like how he shares & illustrates his ideas--& I agree with many things he said--although I don't think no matter how perfect the society we will ever be free from our human frailty--but I think making more for everyone is a way to make things much better-

[catgumart]

@ineptsegue

I think your point about blame is very important-in many ways "blame" comes around to everyone in one way or another & I think that blame prevents us from accomplishing much because no one can work together when as soon as we come together things go wrong & we are pointing fingers already-or remembering past issues-human relations are very delicate & can be very vitriolic/emotional-

[catgumart]

@ineptsegue

Haven't heard a response yet -I apologize if I'm overburdening you-I'm enthusiastic to talk about this stuff-as I feel I have things that I would like to articulate & share & learn with others who may have similar views-especially someone such as yourselves-who are quite knowledgeable-I have no one to talk to about this stuff. Anyone I know doesn't hold the same views or doesn't even look at society very deeply even as its problems effect them in their lives every day. thanks-

[catgumart]

That "just world effect" where the facts/statistics that support realities of suffering that go on all around yet seem "divorced" from regular middle class (I'd like to point out that term is used too broadly) are hidden by that veil of class-I don't think the suffering is perceived-something-some factor acts as a smoke screen- that blocks people from perceiving it until they experience it- I'm trying to articulate it but my powers are limited-that's why I like this channel!