My fundamental difference between both you, Valentin, and Jake is that you both believe that humans act out of good faith, either politicians or ordinary humans. I don't trust our goodness which is why I believe that you both forget the pitfalls of our humanness - greed, egoism, inclination to withhold truth, to hide, envy, etc.
Pragmatism can only be good when everybody involved has a pure and honest heart. The same goes for models that derive from the communistic ideal.
It is possible to put pragmatism and communitarian life into practice but they need to be embedded in a framework of laws, societal rules, etc. to keep them save against natural abuse, and that's where restrictions need to be enforced, rendering pragmatism less pragmatic and turning communism into something that will rather look like social democracy.
- Jake If you only spend 20 minutes of the rest of your life on economics, go spend them here.
So why do you think we're in disagreement?
What a thought-provoking question! ;)
The difference is in the fine print.
Not everyone who considers "Social Democracy" a good state form is a Social Democrat. Social Democracy is home to left-wing and right-wing thought. As a Christian, I could identify with "social", or with "environmental protection" (The Greens) or with the more conservative values on paper as outlined by parties to the right.
I don't identify with either side but consider myself, not above but outside of this spectrum. I like to find truth in all things but have no interest in imposing myself or see others impose their or my convictions on others. I am rational and fatalistic with regards to reality, not depressed.
I know that change begins with ones own heart, which requires patience and persistence. In a way, I also have a (though less visible) revolutionary impulse... I just don't try to reach for the stars though they are beautiful to look at.
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