>>American society cannot reform itself today because its politicians >>are not accountable to the electorate but instead, to special >>interest groups. Among these groups, those with the most money >>speak the loudest. >Carrol Cox > >Has it ever been different? After all, the Founding Fathers deliberately >created the Constitution specifically for this purpose: to prtect the >special interests from the "eolectorate. Yes, our government has always represented the rich. However, over the years, the specifics have changed. We are going to discuss these specifics in my next seminar. If you want to sit in or actively participate, send me a note at <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Jay On Sept 1 the "America2Point0" mailing list will host a seminar about Theodore Lowi's THE END OF LIBERALISM. < <http://tinyurl.com/235x8pv> http://tinyurl.com/235x8pv> < <http://www.amazon.com/End-Liberalism-Second-Republic-United/dp/0393934322> http://www.amazon.com/End-Liberalism-Second-Republic-United/dp/0393934322> If you are already a member of the America2Point0 list, then you will automatically be part of this seminar. On the other hand, if you or a colleague is not a member of the list but would like to participate, please send a note to me at <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Lowi does a good job explaining the history of our government and why it functions as it does. We will come away with an understanding of pluralism, interest group liberalism, and see why a "bargaining" type of government - a "bottom up" form of government like ours is absolutely guaranteed to collapse. I expect to spend a three or four weeks on Lowi's book. I am only going discuss four or five of the many concepts that Lowi raises in his book. I encourage list members to buy their own copy of Lowi's book and read it for themselves. If I overlook something important, then list members can bring it to my attention. If you are interested in how our government actually functions, then this book may be one of the most important books you will ever read. Jay In 1968, Garrett Hardin explained how "rational" decisions at the individual level create "irrational" outcomes at the group level. The name of Hardin's piece was THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS. < <http://dieoff.org/page95.htm> http://dieoff.org/page95.htm> Here is an example of an "irrational" outcome at the group level: < <http://tinyurl.com/2f9zw6o> http://tinyurl.com/2f9zw6o>
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