Neo-
<<...Without generalization, there is neither speech nor thought. Labels must be used with care, to be sure, but they are unavoidable....>>
Yes and no. I mean, you certainly have a point, it is almost impossible to communicate without some sort of label. It is just so darn imperfect, and frequently leads to miscommunication. Here is a good example.
<< It depends on how one cuts the thing: if being gung- ho for an expansion of the welfare state is socialist, then liberals are socialists, and since most Democrats are liberals, it is the socialist party.>>
I don't even know where to start.... Being for social progrms, doesn't necessarily mean that you are for the expansion of a welfare state. Hell, being for some sort of welfare, doesn't even mean you are for a "welfare state" in every sense of the word. As you have used it, it is a dangerous label within a broader characterization.(I am NOT implying nefrious motivation on your part) You then go on to make assumptions that are not necessarily true. The Democratic party is as
much, if not more, of a "big tent" than the Republicans. There are many, sometimes factious, groups under the tent. Not all want the same things...
<<.Economics is a social science. That may mean that it is not as "hard" as, say, physics, but it does mean that it progressively establishes certain facts and theories with a high level of confidence in their truth, and that even if some will need revising, much is known. Therefore, I do not think it is correct to suppose that everything is up for grabs...>>
What I meant was that all theories change. Even economic theory changes. what is popular economic theory and believed to be true in this generation, probably wont be the prevailing opinion during the next generation.
<<Tell me, though, what you think the primary good of the Democratic Party's ideology is, when you have the time... >>
That is a very broad subject and I am afraid I wouldn't be able to get my point across coherently and deinitely not succintly:-)
Would it be easier to go issue by issue?
Mark
B |
