liberals

[dimpy.handa]

It's that time of year again when AC opens his mind to new self-identities. I hereby promise that I will honestly hear your arguments for liberalism. If you manage to convince me that your argument is sound and your evidence is vast, then I hereby pledge to self-identity as a libertarian-leaning liberal rather than a leftist-leaning libertarian. However, if you cast doubt on this pledge, or take this debate non-seriously at any time, then I will no longer be willing to listen to your arguments. But first, my objections:

1) Gun control. I'm sorry, but I'd rather have more people die of homicides than forbid people the opportunity of self-defense. Convince me that I'm acting irrationally.

2) Economics. I am unconvinced that taxing the rich is intrinsically moral. Why should they have to pay for other people's idiocy? Why are income taxes necessary at all (can revenue not be collected far more efficiently via sales taxes)? Why are progressive tax rates necessary?

3) Welfare. I have little sympathy for people on welfare. Please do not bother convincing me that it leads to greater average wealth. Instead, you should concentrate on convincing me it is the moral thing to do, and not the immoral thing to do.

4) Drug policy. It seems clear that the leftist position is not wholly dissimilar from the neocon position. Many liberals seem to support some drug laws, especially for the so-called 'harder' drugs. Give me a reason to support limited prohibition of drugs.

5) Affirmative action. Racism is essentially dead in America. However, AA requires that, if two people are interviewed with exactly the same qualifications, the one with more melanin content in his skin wins. This is horribly racist. Convince me that we should care that blacks are poorer than whites on average.

 

[shivibhanot]

The role of the Indian State, which has jettisoned State Capitalism of the communist variety and embraced Market Economics, is on the one hand, to create an enabling environment for growth by unshackling the remaining vestiges of control, eliminating regulations that stifle development and do away with the 'inspector raj'; and, on the other, to build the confidence of the nation in the rule of law and in the legislative and legal systems.

In sum, the Liberal State seeks to build an equitable society, which by definition, is a just and fair society - a society where the State provides opportunities for growth. All human beings are not born equal if economic and social circumstances are the only criteria. It is the task of a Liberal State to provide them opportunities for growth irrespective of their caste, creed or status - economic or social. The State is the enabler, providing the required social and physical infrastructure. These include basic primary education, primary health care, easy availability of safe drinking water or water for irrigation, decent roads for easy connectivity, speedy justice and the maintenance of law and order. In an equitable society the individual matters. Hence Liberals seek growth with equity.