Daily Mail: Right wingers are less intelligent and more racist than Left wingers

[Tahuti]

It cuts both ways: people who advocate very high tax rates as a means of generating revenue usually fail to understand the dynamic economic effects of doing so, which will harm economic growth and may even result in lower revenues.

That always holds true in the short run. But do note that when you institute a flat tax of 90% without any loopholes in a country with freely-floating currency, there will be virtually no long-term effects since the taxes will simply change the accounting value of money, however devastating the short-term effects might be.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

I do, and despite my cynicism in general, I do think most others would understand as well. Few people for instance do not realize how much oil shapes our current economy and supply shocks in that resource would destabilize it, as it did in the early 1970s.

Of course people realize that there are some physical limitations. Everything else would be ludicrous What I am saying is that we don't fully understand the implications of the limited resources (which again, are not just natural resources) just as we don't fully understand the implications of the by those resources produced outputs (because we don't fully understand economics) and that to draw good conclusion, we need to take both into account. And I am not sure that is done by merely being aware that there are physical limitations and then emphasizing how those outputs are not a zero-sum-game in them self (while they continue to depend on a zero-sum-game of limited resources). Both needs to be emphasized and looked into. And this leads us to a world where for instance protectionism can in deed be a pretty smart thing.

 

[Traitorfish]

It cuts both ways: people who advocate very high tax rates as a means of generating revenue usually fail to understand the dynamic economic effects of doing so, which will harm economic growth and may even result in lower revenues.

I insist, this study said nothing about economic views. Nothing at all.

I'm going to have to go with Luiz here- to the extent that any comment on economic orientation can be inferred from this study, it's through a common association with certain social orientations, not directly. Trying to tie it to any particular set of economic politics is really just speculation.

 

[Tahuti]

Both needs to be emphasized and looked into. And this leads us to a world where for instance protectionism can in deed be a pretty smart thing.

Of course. But how so can protectionism be a smart thing? Bluntly said, protectionism means that real wages are reduced to benefit domestic production and I have yet to hear a good argument why increased domestic production is worth decreasing real wages.

 

[Cutlass]

Don't tell me: Virtually all badly informed economic opinions imply the belief that economy is a zero-sum game and in practice benefit only the few as well. Whether it is economic protectionism or decreasing taxes for no good reason.

That's not what I said. But from where I see it, the Zero-Sum-Game view of the world and economics is common among conservatives. And Zero-Sum circumstances in economics are very uncommon, rather than being the rule. So that thinking leads to policies with a lot of poor results.

 

[Narz]

I can see a lot of coherence in viewing right-wing policy in terms of psychological security.
For starters, that is what conservatism is, endorsing traditional values and ways - never mind how traditional they really are, public perception matters of course, not reality - and traditional by definition means the source of psychological security.
Additionally, and perfectly in line with emphasizing traditions, the right likes to endorse simple philosophies. Be it in form of a simple tax system, or be it "let the market fix it!, be it a "Law and Order"-attitude. Simplicity is also a source of security, as it removes uncertainty and gives one the impression of predictability and hence control.
Naturally, that doesn't mean that one has to be stupid to support the political right wing or that one has to be smart if one doesn't. Those are just the broad psychological forces at work shaping the masses. That does mean also the individual is shaped, sure, but here things get way too complex to make any meaningful generalizations - so don't feel hurt OT-right wingers.

Well put, IMO. My older adopted brother is the "simple philosophy" type. He's not stupid though (probably significantly above average in IQ though not as much as me or my father) just likes to feel confident in understanding things as opposed to letting himself feel the insecurity of not knowing & appreciating the complexity of things.

I don't think my degree entitles me to the good life, I think being smarter than most people entitles me to the good life.

Lot of people are smart & not particularly happy or resourceful. You have a good life because you were born in a rich country to a fairly well off family & were able to make the most of the opportunities given to you.

And my life is good.

You proclaim that very often, why is that?

 

[woody60707]

So all the 9/11 truthers who think Bush did 9/11 are right wingers?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Yes. The study specifically states that all morons are right wingers.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

Of course. But how so can protectionism be a smart thing? Bluntly said, protectionism means that real wages are reduced to benefit domestic production and I have yet to hear a good argument why increased domestic production is worth decreasing real wages.

It is simple. Imagine nations like single businesses on a free market. Now, you are aware that a business in a free market can go bankrupt by not being able to compete I take at it. That means, that this business lost the fight over limited market shares. The same can happen to nations. To be utterly out-competed by rivaling national economies. The common line that free trade will magical fix such an issue is so mind-numbing and evil in its implementations that it makes me wanne puke. Free trade does not favor the weak. Protectionism on the other hand can do wonders under such conditions.

 

[Leoreth]

Plus, almost every developing nation did this under the umbrella of protectionism. South Korea is a good example.

 

[Dachs]

looking at it from a historical perspective, protectionism also used to be a really good revenue booster

 

[Camikaze]

Moderator Action: This topic isn't one that's going to produce a lot of discussion that stay safely within the site rules. The thread title is fairly trollish in itself, even if it wasn't intended to be. Near the beginning, there was a rapid nosedive, and although the discussion has recovered from there, the rules are fairly specific:

• Posting a very negative topic or post about a certain group. Eg. "Why are all (race, gender, ethnicity, political affiliation) stupid / fat / boring" etc.