EconTalk — Jonah Goldberg

On: The Suicide of the West.

Episode: N/A

Date: April 2018

Background: Columnist and author of The Suicide of the West.

Key Subjects:

  • Capitalism and democracy are at risk in the current contentious political environment.
  • We take for granted “the miracle”:
    • The transformation of the standard of living in the democracies with market economies
  • Unless we actively work to preserve our political and economic systems, the forces of populism, nationalism, and tribalism will work steadily to destroy them.
  • Microcosm versus macrocosm:
    • Microcosm: families function under socialist norms, tribes (sharing, top down).
    • Macrocosm: societies function under capitalist norms (contractual, bottom up).
  • Dangers of tribalism:
    • Reassertion of human nature: I don’t like artificial constraints on my human desires and on my desire for my group to be victorious.
    • Whether it’s nationalism, or socialism, or populism.
    • Most fundamental form of human corruption.
  • Having tribes or factions is fine, what’s wrong is when government takes sides.
    • Danger is increase in government power / regulations.
  • Answers:
    • Awareness of dangers, gratitude for being born now (increased health & wealth), sharing ideas (rhetoric matters) [not wholly convincing].
    • If ultimate danger is enlisting the government, then make government smaller and more local – at least the outcomes become more visible.

Key Takeaways:

  • Families function under socialist norms (sharing, top down); societies function under capitalist norms (contractual, bottom up).
  • If government becomes more invasive, make government smaller and more local:  at least the outcomes become more visible.

Worth Listening:

8/10

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