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