For the 15 years I have published in Explore I have tried to make the point that social values determine social outcomes, based on objective quantifiable social outcome data. And that on the basis of that data, it is clear that when forming social policy the best option is always the one that is the most compassionate, life-affirming and fostering of wellbeing. That option proves always easier to implement than the alternatives: more productive, more efficient, nicer to live under, longer enduring, and much much cheaper.1
I know this is going to be controversial, but I want to talk about a second point this data teaches, a trend that is shaping the United States in many ways. It’s components are frequently discussed, but the over-arching trend is rarely mentioned. I am speaking here of the objectively verified failure of conservative social policies to foster wellbeing. Where conservative social policies prevail, Americans, men, women, children, regardless of race or gender, are less healthy and have shorter more miserable lives than people in other developed nations. So it […]
Good piece, Stephan. I linked to it on my FB page.
Very interesting, thank you.
Back in the middle of the 20th century the south was solidly Democratic. In fact, it was known as “the Solid South.” Since then they have switched sides from blue to red. The political labels have changed but basic attitudes have not, even though such terms as the “Mason-Dixon Line” and the “Bible Belt” have disappeared from the MSM. These basic regional differences in the USA do not bode well for its future.