By focusing on problems of government and ignoring problems of modern capitalism which has arguably far more influence (both positive and negative) on our daily lives, and upon which we have a lot less control, you’re highly biasing the debate. It’s not just you—I would say people in general are a lot more critical of government policies than of consequences of current form of capitalism (which has nothing to do with libertarian/econ101 fairytale free market).
As for European politics (I’m basing it mostly about Poland, UK, and Germany, as opposed to States, but my understanding is that the situation is very similar in most European countries):
Admirable nationalistic characteristics—never, that’s purely American thing, European politicians tend to be extremely shy about national issues, there’s no flag waving etc.
Rights-based claims—not really, you can hear often that some policies are unjust toward some group, or cause some group suffering, or some policies would be beneficial for some group, but it’s pretty very rarely about abstract “right to X” like American debates are framed.
Talking about dangers of neo-liberalism—this happens, usually in terms of specific problem (like mistreatment of employees, or job loses, or environmental issues etc.), more often in realistic “companies only care about profit, so we need to regulate things about them that we care about”, rarely in a generic “neo-liberal capitalism is bad”, but why do you include it as ideological? Should neo-liberalism be a taboo subject?
Admirable nationalistic characteristics—never, that’s purely American thing
Really? nationalism is a purely American thing?
Companies care about profits which makes them care about their consumers, their suppliers, their workers, and their congressmen (for better or for worse). But regulations are obviously necessary, and I like public goods.
Again, I think your argument about U.S. and European politics differ is interesting, I should look into that.
Right now, yeah, pretty much. In Europe the most you can find is politicians of country X talking about protecting “X jobs”, but on “we look after our interests, others look after theirs” basis, not on any sense of superiority and uniqueness that is so prevalent in American political propaganda.
Nationalism may be less potent in Europe than the U.S., but there are other countries in the world. And my impression is that, thankfully, nationalism is less potent in the U.S. than in many of them.
You have a point, I only looked at Western democracies, U.S. is an outlier in this set, but there’s plenty of countries with a lot worse nationalism than U.S. if you look outside the set.
I think that both promoting and criticizing neo-liberalism are fairly ideological projects. I wouldn’t taboo either of them, but I would like to see politicians/journalists/voters more focused on discussing the costs and benefits of specific policies which I think would lead people to be more consequentialist.
My point was that problems here are rarely framed as pro-neoliberalism vs anti-neoliberalism, the focus tends to be on specifics, which I would say is more productive.
I agree on everything but the dangers of neo-liberalism. This seems to me to be ever present, also in relatively succesful countries like Germany and France. Boo neo-liberalism. A bit like inequality.
Ideology in the American sense is pretty much relegated to fringe movements.
I live in Denmark, but follow politics in major European countries.
By focusing on problems of government and ignoring problems of modern capitalism which has arguably far more influence (both positive and negative) on our daily lives, and upon which we have a lot less control, you’re highly biasing the debate. It’s not just you—I would say people in general are a lot more critical of government policies than of consequences of current form of capitalism (which has nothing to do with libertarian/econ101 fairytale free market).
As for European politics (I’m basing it mostly about Poland, UK, and Germany, as opposed to States, but my understanding is that the situation is very similar in most European countries):
Admirable nationalistic characteristics—never, that’s purely American thing, European politicians tend to be extremely shy about national issues, there’s no flag waving etc.
Rights-based claims—not really, you can hear often that some policies are unjust toward some group, or cause some group suffering, or some policies would be beneficial for some group, but it’s pretty very rarely about abstract “right to X” like American debates are framed.
Talking about dangers of neo-liberalism—this happens, usually in terms of specific problem (like mistreatment of employees, or job loses, or environmental issues etc.), more often in realistic “companies only care about profit, so we need to regulate things about them that we care about”, rarely in a generic “neo-liberal capitalism is bad”, but why do you include it as ideological? Should neo-liberalism be a taboo subject?
Companies care about profits which makes them care about their consumers, their suppliers, their workers, and their congressmen (for better or for worse). But regulations are obviously necessary, and I like public goods.
Again, I think your argument about U.S. and European politics differ is interesting, I should look into that.
Right now, yeah, pretty much. In Europe the most you can find is politicians of country X talking about protecting “X jobs”, but on “we look after our interests, others look after theirs” basis, not on any sense of superiority and uniqueness that is so prevalent in American political propaganda.
Nationalism may be less potent in Europe than the U.S., but there are other countries in the world. And my impression is that, thankfully, nationalism is less potent in the U.S. than in many of them.
You have a point, I only looked at Western democracies, U.S. is an outlier in this set, but there’s plenty of countries with a lot worse nationalism than U.S. if you look outside the set.
I think that both promoting and criticizing neo-liberalism are fairly ideological projects. I wouldn’t taboo either of them, but I would like to see politicians/journalists/voters more focused on discussing the costs and benefits of specific policies which I think would lead people to be more consequentialist.
My point was that problems here are rarely framed as pro-neoliberalism vs anti-neoliberalism, the focus tends to be on specifics, which I would say is more productive.
I agree on everything but the dangers of neo-liberalism. This seems to me to be ever present, also in relatively succesful countries like Germany and France. Boo neo-liberalism. A bit like inequality.
Ideology in the American sense is pretty much relegated to fringe movements.
I live in Denmark, but follow politics in major European countries.