[Read on]Writing in the Guardian, Daniel Koffler offers a provocative analysis of the economics of Barack Obama, arguing that the senator and his chief economic advisor, Austan Goolsbee, have put together a platform that is "orthogonal to the traditional liberal-conservative axis." (Thanks to Trade Diversion for the link.)
If this approach needs a name, call it left-libertarianism. Advancements in behavioral economics, public and rational choice theory, and game theory provide us with an opportunity to attend to inequality without crippling the economy, enhancing the coercive power of the state, or infringing on personal liberty (at least not to any extent greater than the welfare state already does; and as much as my libertarian friends might wish otherwise, the welfare state isn't going anywhere). The cost -- higher marginal tax rates -- is real, but eminently justified by the benefits.
On healthcare and on trade, argues Koffler, Obama is "moving more and more in the direction of economic freedom, competition and individual choice." This reflects the influence of Goolsbee, "who agrees with the liberal consensus on the need to address concerns such as income inequality, disparate educational opportunities and, of course, disparate access to healthcare, but breaks sharply from liberal orthodoxy on both the causes of these social ills and the optimal strategy for ameliorating them."
I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I grew up in one of the reddest states in America, where Clinton is a four letter word, yet I've been hearing from people across the spectrum lately who say that they respect, admire, and would even vote for Barack Obama. This isn't due simply to a vague promise for warm, fuzzy things like "hope" and "change."
3 comments:
"I've been hearing from people across the spectrum lately who say that they respect, admire, and would even vote for Barack Obama."
It could just be that Barack represents the lesser of the two evils ;)
The latter, but not necessarily the two former. Respect and admiration aren't exactly qualities one holds for the lesser of two evils.
I think most of those people actually want to get the psychic rewards for voting for a decent black candidate for president.
If your choice in the GOP field is not inspiring, then this reward seems even bigger. Why not be part of "history" instead of tepidly voting for someone who doesn't float your boat.
Obama has made some intelligent sounding statements on policies (like no to an interest rate freeze) which helps, but I don't think GOP members would review his policies and give him a thumbs up, EXCEPT that he's charismatic and offers a historic choice.
Which is really not a bad reason at all. The nation seems to do okay regardless of which party's idiots are in charge.
Post a Comment