Supposing college was free, what would the social narrative about the recipients of it be? I have seen two basic approaches: 1. It is a right. I owe nothing. Under this narrative, recipients of free college are due free college as a matter of right. To deprive them of it is to oppress them. When… Continue reading Free college narratives
Author: Matt Bruenig
Poor whites and the Left
Peter Frase wrote this piece about class and the Left. I put out a short response to it when it came out. There are lots of parts to it, and I hesitate to summarize it for that reason. But, basically, he objects to those who say class is different than race and gender, those who… Continue reading Poor whites and the Left
Kevin Hassett Misrepresents Piketty
AEI’s Kevin Hassett knew Piketty was wrong before he ever read him. There is no possible world in which Kevin Hassett did anything else but say Piketty was wrong. That’s fine, but what’s not fine is this shit: If you look at what’s been going on in his data, then the share of income going… Continue reading Kevin Hassett Misrepresents Piketty
Peter Frase on class identity
Peter Frase wrote a post on class identity, among other things. The piece critiques the familiar claim that class is different from other identity categories like race and gender because the proper leftist aim is to create a classless society, not a merely class-inclusive society. Frase claims that “class” as used in the “classless society”… Continue reading Peter Frase on class identity
Pick-up basketball and grab what you can
There are three types of governing regimes: Lawless — There are no rules preventing people from acting on the bodies of others. There are no rules preventing people from acting on pieces of the world. Grab World — There are rules preventing people from acting on the bodies of others. There are no rules preventing… Continue reading Pick-up basketball and grab what you can