A Conflict of Visions by Thomas Sowell (book review)

Oregon Magazine ^ | February 1, 2003 | Peggy Whitcomb

[Yardstick]

*Bump*

[SauronOfMordor]

"Articulation" is a big deal for the Lefties, according to Sowell. What is not intellectually studied, understood and "articulated" cleverly (cleverness is important)(by a properly educated elite) simply is not considered worthy to be called "knowledge".

The Left has a lot of appeal for the articulate segment of society. In a Communist/statist society, it is the articulate who will rise to the top. The people who are skilled at intrigue, at persuasion, at flattery, at political games have a competitive advantage in large organizations (with government bureaucracy being the largest of organizations).

In the capitalist world, what counts is not how articulate you are, but how RIGHT you are. The man who makes it rich is the one who makes the right decisions, even if he can't articulate WHY he's doing it beyond "having a hunch". Conversely, in government you can fail to actually achieve a decent product for years (eg, the public school system, welfare, public housing, etc) and still be promoted, as long as you're articulate and good at political games

[WaterDragon]

Your comments are very articulate, Sauron. Of course, the Left would be aghast that an articulate conservative would disagree with them!

[weikel]

Great as usual. I think you'd do well in both systems :).

[HumanaeVitae]

Ah, perhaps it was liberalism that was "articulated reason". I don't have the book handy...BUMP for a great thread.

[SauronOfMordor]

Of course, the Left would be aghast that an articulate conservative would disagree with them!

This is why they're so upset at people like Rush, Anne Coulter, David Horowitz, etc. People who are articulate AND have reasoned arguments are deadly to Leftists. The Left's arguments are seductive only to the extent that they can suppress rebuttal. This is why PC is so big on campus

[WaterDragon]

Here's a conservative commentator who's awfully articulate about the fundamental meaning of conservatism. I'm grateful to all of you who are articulate. Gives me ammunition when the liberals make incredibly dumb/dangerous statements.