Class and the Discourse

When it comes to accessing the mainstream media discourse, academic discourse, or any similar prominent discourse that reflects on justice and politics, poor people face a double-bind that ensures their voices are permanently erased. If you grow up poor and you remain poor, your access to any of these discussions is basically nonexistent. If you… Continue reading Class and the Discourse

Real Life Capitalism Whack-A-Mole

A couple of years ago, I introduced the concept of Capitalism Whack-A-Mole. Capitalism Whack-A-Mole is an argumentative habit of libertarians where they shift between various mutually incompatible philosophical frameworks in order to deal with successful critiques of capitalism. I taped a TV segment today with the Ayn Rand Institute’s Don Watkins about his book “Equal… Continue reading Real Life Capitalism Whack-A-Mole

Why Are Libertarians Mostly Men?

Every so often, people opine on the question of why libertarians are mostly men (Jeet Heer, Kevin Drum, Brink Lindsey). As someone more interested in the philosophical debate, not the sociological debate, I generally stay out of these discussions. However, if I had to speculate, I’d say that the reason libertarians are mostly men is… Continue reading Why Are Libertarians Mostly Men?

Full Employment and Welfare

Liberal pundits really like to talk about reducing welfare expenditures. Birth control is touted as good because it will reduce welfare expenditure on Medicaid and programs for poor families with children (Kristof, Rampell). Increasing the minimum wage is often touted as good because it will reduce welfare expenditure on Medicaid and food stamps. I understand… Continue reading Full Employment and Welfare