Slide 1Why Most Americans Are LiberalsThose Who didn’t share the immigrant experienceThe Government that governs best governs least except…Critique of LibertarianismThe Utilitarians (Hamiltonian Liberals)The Utilitarians (Hamiltonian Liberals)Critique of Hamiltonian LiberalsThe Welfare LiberalsThe Two Principles of JusticePrinciples of the (Liberal) Welfare StateWelfare Liberals and PoliticsCritique of Welfare LiberalismClassical ConservativesClassical ConservativesClassical ConservativesClassical ConservativesThe Outlines of the American ElectorateAmerican Variants of LiberalismUnited in Their Belief that the Government that Governs Best, Governs LeastSpring 2014Why Most Americans Are LiberalsThe Unifying effect of the immigrant experienceMost Americans are descendants of people who came from somewhere elseThe unifying thread of the immigrant experience is the rejection of the ruling structure at home and the hope that in the “new world” settlers will be allowed to get ahead withoutThe imposition of an existing class structureThe imposition of a nationalist barrierAnd most importantly – without the interference of governmentThose Who didn’t share the immigrant experienceNative AmericansAfrican – Americans - Although the African American community is by no means monolithic – there are large segments of the community (growing larger) that have come after the Diaspora and have had a more or less typical immigrant experienceAs a result those communities have developed significant differences in their respective political cultures (More about this later)The Government that governs best governs least except…The Purists – Libertarians (representing less than 1% of the electorate)The government that governs best, governs least….Period!Besides the libertarian candidate, the most prominent libertarian candidate running right now is Former House Representative Ron Paul of Texas and his son Senator Rand Paul of KentuckyCritique of LibertarianismTragedy of the Commons – Sometimes you just have to organize society for the greater goodFranklin’s cure for Atlanta’s traffic problemEverybody needs help at some point and its just cruel (unethical/immoral) not to do anything about itPrivate charity is simply not enough, if you don’t agree, read Dickens or The Jungle by Upton SinclairThe Utilitarians (Hamiltonian Liberals)The government that governs best governs least except when it can be demonstrated that a public activity generates a net gain…Public SanitationPublic EducationInfrastructure – Bridges, Roads, Airports, etc.What they would probably disputeSocial SecurityFood StampsGovernment Assistance to the ArtsThe Utilitarians (Hamiltonian Liberals)Hamiltonian Liberals comprise about 40% of the voting public and are primarily members of the Republican PartyAlso called “good government” Republicans a.k.a. goo-goo’s (derisively)George Bush the Elder, Gerald Ford, Dwight Eisenhower, probably Mitt Romney, John McCain and, quite possibly, John BoehnerCritique of Hamiltonian LiberalsThey are unprincipledIt is hard to measure “utility”In the moral senseIn the sense that a small benefit accrues to the many or a large benefit accrues to the fewTax cuts for the wealthy is the classic exampleThe Welfare LiberalsThe government that governs best governs least except…The Theory of Justice, by John Rawls and the justification for the welfare stateDecision making behind the “veil of ignorance”Resulting in the two principles of justiceThe Two Principles of JusticeEach person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for othersProvision of basic human needs Social and Economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both:Reasonably expected to be to everyone’s advantage (the difference principle)Attached to positions and offices open to allPrinciples of the (Liberal) Welfare StateIn all sectors of society there should be roughly equal prospects of culture and achievement of everyone similarly endowedA guarantee of basic human needsEducation, health, housing and nutritionThe principle being to help those who are, through no fault of their own, unable to help themselvesFor example, children, the disabled, the sick? The old?Welfare Liberals and PoliticsWelfare liberals comprise about 40-45% of the electorate and are the core constituency of the Democratic PartyCritique of Welfare LiberalismWhat does it mean to be disadvantaged through no fault of your own?The Welfare state is costly, inefficient and violates peoples’ right to propertyWho cares whether a difference in holdings is to the disadvantage of the less well off?Classical ConservativesGovernment is to operate in the service of a “higher law”Conservatives are generally but not always deeply religious and believe in the superiority of God’s law over man’s lawThere are non-religious conservatives who arrive at their principles of higher law without the use of a religious text (these individuals are often referred to as “neo-cons”)Classical ConservativesClassical conservatives don’t buy into the liberal bias towards a minimal government that allows for “anything goes”They want to live in a country that has respect for religious law and one in which they can raise their children free of pernicious influencesSome prominent Conservatives include leaders of the moral majority and other religious organizations including traditional Catholic (Mel Gibson), Evangelical (Pat Robertson), traditional Jewish and Muslim organizations.Classical ConservativesClassical Conservatives comprise about 15% of the Population (they are more heavily represented in states like Georgia) and are primarily associated with the Republican partyThey are strong proponents of anti abortion laws, anti pornography, prayer in public places and other “moral” causesClassical ConservativesCritique of classical conservatismThe Constitution opposes the establishment of religion and promotes the separation of church and stateClassical conservatives can be undemocratic when they oppose the popular will on issues like, say, Gay rightsBusiness people may even have an issue with things like Blue Laws and opposition to very profitable enterprises in gambling and pornographyThe Outlines of the