Posted by
PeterE on Thursday, August 09, 2007 11:44:15 AM
without hippies (to borrow a trope from WSJ's Opinion Journal)?
As usual the two halves exist symbiotically, each allowing the other to carry out their symbolic trash.
If it weren't for hippies, boomer conservatives would have to deal seriously with the challenges that modernity has for Smithian free market economics and legacy politics. Think: women's rights, protective labor legislation, protective consumer legislation, environmental protection.
Instead of comprehensive thinking, we have the politics of compromise. |
without conservatives?
If it weren't for conservatives, boomer liberals would have to deal seriously with the fact that the wealth required for social cohesion only comes from private business and trade. They would have to face the fact that the only thing stopping the world going straight to hell is US military might. Because of the hated military, at least some of the weaker members of the human race get to live and fight another day.
Instead of comprehensive thinking, we have the politics of compromise |