This example looks like yet another instance of conflict theory imputing bad motives where they don’t exist and generally leading you wrong.
A large part of this example relies on “Buchanan having racist political agenda and using public choice theory as a vehicle for achieving this agenda” being a true proposition. I can not assign a high degree of credibility to this proposition though, considering Buchanan is the same guy who wrote this:
“Given the state monopoly as it exists, I surely support the introduction of vouchers. And I do support the state financing of vouchers from general tax revenues. However, although I know the evils of state monopoly, I would also want, somehow, to avoid the evils of race-class-cultural segregation that an unregulated voucher scheme might introduce. In principle, there is, after all, much in the ”melting pot“ notion of America. And there is also some merit in the notion that the education of all children should be a commonly shared experience in terms of basic curriculum, etc. We should not want a voucher scheme to reintroduce the elite that qualified for membership only because they have taken Latin and Greek classics. Ideally, and in principle, it should be possible to secure the beneficial effects of competition, in providing education, via voucher support, and at the same time to secure the potential benefits of commonly shared experiences, including exposure to other races, classes and cultures. In practise, we may not be able to accomplish the latter at all. But my main point is, I guess, to warn against dismissing the comprehensive school arguments out of hand too readily. ”
Talk is cheap, especially when claiming not to hold opinions widely considered blameworthy.
Buchanan’s academic career (and therefore ability to get our attention) can easily depend on racists’ appetite for convenient arguments regardless of his personal preferences.
This example looks like yet another instance of conflict theory imputing bad motives where they don’t exist and generally leading you wrong.
A large part of this example relies on “Buchanan having racist political agenda and using public choice theory as a vehicle for achieving this agenda” being a true proposition. I can not assign a high degree of credibility to this proposition though, considering Buchanan is the same guy who wrote this:
“Given the state monopoly as it exists, I surely support the introduction of vouchers. And I do support the state financing of vouchers from general tax revenues. However, although I know the evils of state monopoly, I would also want, somehow, to avoid the evils of race-class-cultural segregation that an unregulated voucher scheme might introduce. In principle, there is, after all, much in the ”melting pot“ notion of America. And there is also some merit in the notion that the education of all children should be a commonly shared experience in terms of basic curriculum, etc. We should not want a voucher scheme to reintroduce the elite that qualified for membership only because they have taken Latin and Greek classics. Ideally, and in principle, it should be possible to secure the beneficial effects of competition, in providing education, via voucher support, and at the same time to secure the potential benefits of commonly shared experiences, including exposure to other races, classes and cultures. In practise, we may not be able to accomplish the latter at all. But my main point is, I guess, to warn against dismissing the comprehensive school arguments out of hand too readily. ”
Source: http://www.independent.org/issues/article.asp?id=9115
Talk is cheap, especially when claiming not to hold opinions widely considered blameworthy.
Buchanan’s academic career (and therefore ability to get our attention) can easily depend on racists’ appetite for convenient arguments regardless of his personal preferences.