I’ve always viewed politics as a means to an end—that end being human happiness—and I’m increasingly thinking that it is irrelevant to promoting that end. I’m thinking that the real issue is in how people think and solve problems.
This is precisely how I feel. Sometimes I daydream about starting a political party that has no ideology apart from vague consequentialism, commitment to rationality & empirical testing of policy proposals. Call us the “Whatever the Hell Works” party.
Sometimes I daydream about starting a political party that has no ideology apart from vague consequentialism, commitment to rationality & empirical testing of policy proposals. Call us the “Whatever the Hell Works” party.
Some niches might be opening up in US politics. Unfortunately, sensible people don’t seem to be rushing to fill those niches.
There are at least 3 things going on in “politics” though. 1) Public discussion about the problems facing society including possible solutions and value debates. 2) Getting the “right” people in the right places so that upcoming problems can be addressed well. 3) People making sure they and theirs get a “fair” share of the pie including making their living through politics.
Unfortunately, the “Whatever the Hell Works” party probably doesn’t do well on that third aspect which probably means it would have a hard time getting and keeping people working for it. Ride a tide of dissatisfaction into power, but then it is really tempting to become just the latest version of the same old politics.
This is precisely how I feel. Sometimes I daydream about starting a political party that has no ideology apart from vague consequentialism, commitment to rationality & empirical testing of policy proposals. Call us the “Whatever the Hell Works” party.
Some niches might be opening up in US politics. Unfortunately, sensible people don’t seem to be rushing to fill those niches.
There are at least 3 things going on in “politics” though. 1) Public discussion about the problems facing society including possible solutions and value debates. 2) Getting the “right” people in the right places so that upcoming problems can be addressed well. 3) People making sure they and theirs get a “fair” share of the pie including making their living through politics.
Unfortunately, the “Whatever the Hell Works” party probably doesn’t do well on that third aspect which probably means it would have a hard time getting and keeping people working for it. Ride a tide of dissatisfaction into power, but then it is really tempting to become just the latest version of the same old politics.
Oh, I agree! It’s only a daydream. =P