Experimentalism


Is this the answer to party politics?
Arnold Kling has a good idea.

Experimentalism is the philosophy of trying political ideas in clear, finite, measurable experiments. It is an alternative to the futile ideological head-banging that is turning off more and more voters every day.

Experimentalism has the potential to be a new political philosophy that transcends partisanship. My guess is that more Americans could be comfortable with experimentalism than with traditional Democratic or Republican dogma.

In fact, there is good reason to suspect that support for the traditional two parties is at an all-time low. The major parties are leaving huge gaps in the political center as well as other parts of the political spectrum. In this essay, I argued that the future political battle pits incumbent politicians against the "long tail."

As a libertarian, I would prefer that people adopt my ideas right now, based on their clear logic and intuitive appeal. Since that is not likely to happen, the next best thing would be experimentalism, which would allow libertarian ideas to be tried along with other ideas. Perhaps over time the best ideas would win out.

One of the big disadvantages to government mandated solutions is that they are usually all or nothing.

Take global warming.

Please.

Seriously, to hear the global warming apologists talk, you can't take partial steps to see what happens. We have to do everything at once without knowing what will happen. And if it doesn't work, then we tweak the government control to make sure that it does. Again and again.

The "protect marriage" crowd wants the exact same thing for their issue. As do the immigration reformers.

Experimentalism could be the way to handle problems, just by seeing what works on a small scale before we go for total commitment.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Sat - October 7, 2006 at 04:52 PM  Tag


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