Debating right wingers on economics is such a chore sometimes. Maybe it's because I've done it so many times, and even was a right winger myself, but I'm just burned out on their arguments. The worst part in debating the right is that their views are full of so many misconceptions it's ridiculous. They push this kind of market purism in which everything the market does is right and if you disagree, you must be a gosh darned commie.
I've already debunked the right's misconceptions of socialism, so I won't go into them again, but as we know, there is a HUGE continuum between free market purism, and the opposite, this giant, leviathan like inefficient communist command economy that dictates every aspect of one's life. Even hardcore lefties like myself reject this kind of system. I mean, even though I rail against markets all day, I still support the concept, even in my most extreme ideas, like market socialism (note how the word "market" is in the term).Quite frankly, almost all lefties, aside from the tankies, advocate for some form of free market economy. Whether you're a neoliberal Clintonian centrist, or a Berniecrat, or even a light socialist, very few advocate for "full communism." The world is nuanced, reality is nuanced, and an attack on your free market economic ideas is not a repudiation of the entire concept. And the same could be applied to the state.
Markets are a relatively efficient means of distributing goods and services. Compared to a command economy, it is far more receptive to supply and demand, and creates much more innovation. They aren't PERFECT, but nothing in life is. And most left wing ideas are means of fixing the imperfections, not doing away with the concept. I support regulations. I support safety nets. I support unions. I support workplace democracy. All of these things are compatible with markets.
Most arguments against government should actually be approached in the same way. In the eyes of a far right winger, if you criticize the wisdom of the free market, you're a supporter of "big government", and government is bad. And they'll often bring up examples like FEMA mismanaging Katrina, or IP laws choking competition, etc. Look, government, like markets are a tool. And just as I'm not a purist in terms of markets, I'm not a purist in terms of government either. Just because government can do some bad things doesn't mean I'm against the concept. And I will admit, government can often do a lot of bad things. But, if governments are used properly, they can do great things.
We need to get beyond purism in general on the subjects. Markets and governments aren't infallible deities to do battle with one another. They're TOOLS. They're to be utilized for the goal of maximizing human happiness, well being, and freedom. Markets and government both do good things, and markets and government both do bad things. It depends how they're used. And the ideological extremes on both sides are scary. I don't support full communism. I don't support free market capitalism. Any sensible approach would try to find some mix or balance of both.
Knowing this, when I debate those on the right, who will start ranting and raving about communism the second I criticize their precious markets, it can get frustrating. Yes, markets do some level of good. You don't need to keep reminding me of this again and again. I'm well aware of the fact. Yes, in some areas, things need to be deregulated, not regulated. Yes, not every government action is a good thing. I'm not a purist for crying out loud. I just feel like debating those who hold these kinds of sheer misconceptions and straw men can sometimes be a waste of time.
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