John demanded that I post this article on my blog, which is a strange request given the fact that John is pretty much my only reader.
Actually, it is one of the best articles I've read in a very long time. It forces the reader to question the fundamental moral assumptions of their economic beliefs. I doubt seriously that it will convert the "true-believer" in socialistic or redistributionist economic policies, but it should reinvigorate those jaded free-marketeers who have begun to accept as inevitable their caricature as selfish, immoral, robber-barons.
***
Lately, I've found myself more frequently at odds over economic and political issues with people I know from church. Granted, this is probably explained by the fact that I've recently relocated to Chicago from central Texas, but I don't think the change can be entirely attributed to geography.
It used to be the case that most "bible belt" protestant christians were reliably fiscal conservatives, but that seems not to be the case as often anymore. I can only conclude that Americans (who are generally people of faith) have begun to drift toward the idea that redistributionist economic policies are morally preferable to free-market ones.
How can this be? How can those who claim to serve the poor (as all Christians must) demonize an economic system that is historically unique in its ability to eradicate widespread poverty? How can they endorse political and economic systems that have, in the name of "equality" and "community," crippled individual liberties and plunged entire populations into material destitution?
Conservatives, and particularly Christian conservatives, cannot continue to cede the moral high-ground, especially if we really do care about the least fortunate among us. The article above is a good first step in learning to take it back.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
That's weird. I would think more than Capitalism vs Socialism in helping the poor, the argument would be framed around the forced taking of property by the government. Why would any Christian believe that perverting the law to take property on the threat of incarceration is any different than just mugging someone? I haven't been to church in a while (read: years and years), but I don't remember the stories of Jesus sticking people up on the highway to give to the lepers.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. It can't get much clearer than "Thou Shalt Not Steal," but nevertheless, here's why some Christians have a hard time accepting your argument:
ReplyDeleteRemember, Christianity is based on the belief that we're only "stewards" of God's gifts. Since God gives me everything I have - even the things I earn - nothing is really mine. And since we're called to help the poor, the argument that someone has no right to take my money runs into a problem: It isn't really my money. It's God's money.
It's easy to see how this would lead some Christians to conclude that Socialism is more in line with Christianity than Capitalism is. Of course the obvious flaw with this thinking is: While it isn't really my money in the first place, it isn't yours either - and it certainly isn't the government's. The whole idea of being a "steward" of God's gifts is that it's my responsibility to use them generously and wisely. It's hard to do that if I let someone else take them from me against my will.
So rather than fighting against the natural Christian inclination to be generous with their money, I think it's more effective to show that redistribution actually creates poverty where free-markets would reduce it. It isn't a rationalization for selfishness - it's just an easier argument for Christians to swallow.
Also, I just generally avoid using the "redistribution as theft" argument because it plays into progressives' twisted vision of conservatives as greedy. As soon as you say "you don't have the right to take what I've earned" they smear you as selfish and claim moral superiority. It's totally backward, but it works. It's better to point out that capitalism is more effective at eliminating poverty than socialism. That fact makes progressive heads explode.
Some fascist can throw greed in my face all they want. Like Thomas Sowell said, blaming an economic problem on greed is like blaming an airplane crash on gravity. Although arguing with a fascist is like arguing with gravity...
ReplyDelete