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The flaws of the EU's asymmetric approach to imbalances | 132 comments (132 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
Re: Self-censorship (4.00 / 2)
While I laud all the effort, I cannot avoid thinking that as soon as any success would be obtained, the effort would be trashed.

While some people might be honest intellectually, cynicism leads me to believe that as soon as this approach started to work, it would be cut down.

The genetic imprint of the current system is to support the financial classes. Deviation is only acceptable as long as it is inconsequential.

On the other hand, I can only wish good luck (and expect that I am wrong).

Bottom up approaches seem more appropriate, in my view.

But good luck. In the middle of the developing social, economic and political chaos the butterfly effect might actually make all this effort pay off. Indeed, now is the time.

by cagatacos on Wed Jul 20th, 2011 at 11:27:37 AM EST
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Re: Self-censorship (none / 1)
cagatacos:
Bottom up approaches seem more appropriate, in my view.

Because a blogger writing a post on an economics site is supposed to be top-down?

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Wed Jul 20th, 2011 at 11:56:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Self-censorship (none / 0)
His approach to change is institutional and top-down. He is trying to influence Wolfgang Munchau readers.

A bottom-up approach involves influencing the opinion and PRACTICE of a bus driver.

Contrast this with, say, the approach of the transition town movement.

I hope I have made it clear that I think it is a great piece of work. But lets not be blinded to target audience and approach.

This piece (and ET, by the way) is targeted at a certain intellectual elite. Other than trying to fake something of a more popular vein, I strongly suggest to all people that are comfortable with doing this work, that they should just embrace it. Just do not fool yourselves.

by cagatacos on Wed Jul 20th, 2011 at 12:16:29 PM EST
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Re: Self-censorship (none / 1)
I don't have a quarrel with the transition town movement. I think they are necessary. I just don't personally have the temperament for (small-'c') community life.

Economics is politics by other means
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed Jul 20th, 2011 at 12:54:43 PM EST
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Re: Self-censorship (none / 0)
This whole discussion stinks of "either-or" mentality somewhat pervasive in western thought. Most of it is essentially a non-discussion about things we agree. Say

  1. There are different approaches to the current problems

  2. Some people have different inclinations

I am just stating that:

  1. This is great work, but refers to a certain kind of approach. A certain kind of speech, a certain kind of audience.

  2. It deserves being encouraged.

  3. I personally do not believe that it will bear fruit.

  4. Points 2 and 3 ARE NOT inconsistent. A single minded approach is much less resilient that a "large-span" approach.

  5. People should do what they are most comfortable with. If it is writing LTEs to the FT, so be it!

I guess my final point is: if I am correct (big if), then there are other avenues you might try without failing into despair. ;)
by cagatacos on Thu Jul 21st, 2011 at 07:25:55 AM EST
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Re: Self-censorship (none / 1)
  1. I don't think this discussion "stinks";

  2. I don't think you were misunderstood.
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Thu Jul 21st, 2011 at 11:09:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Self-censorship (4.00 / 5)
What we're doing here at ET is no doubt at some remove from attempting to influence the working class. But what does deeply influence the working class, other than the mass media we criticize and would hope to (eventually) have some influence on? Or the consumer society we also criticize?

I willingly hit the street in support of strikes, union action, social movements. I've just returned from an hour working for the locavore food association I help to run. But I'm aware of the limits of that type of action too. Addressing the intellectuals and communicators in society seems to me to be another type of action that can bring results, and I don't think it's any less worthy.

Neither do I think it's "elitist" or top-down, coming from a Web-based discussion community.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Wed Jul 20th, 2011 at 01:36:14 PM EST
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The flaws of the EU's asymmetric approach to imbalances | 132 comments (132 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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