Thread:
1. There can be multiple causes for something.
2. Years of neglect and “pork barrel” politics (which could just as easily have produced infrastructure spending as blocked it) don’t come out of a void.
1. There can be multiple causes for something.
2. Years of neglect and “pork barrel” politics (which could just as easily have produced infrastructure spending as blocked it) don’t come out of a void.
We have these problems because our political culture has looked to markets to solve all problems (hint: markets under-produce public goods).
Other democracies generally do not have these problems, largely because they have domestic consensus around a few points:
Other democracies generally do not have these problems, largely because they have domestic consensus around a few points:
1. Taxation is necessary and normal and is not “theft” so long as it’s being used for the common good;
2. There are some things markets don’t do well, and some problems that require coordinated solutions (like protecting common resources);
3. Everyone’s quality of life matters.
2. There are some things markets don’t do well, and some problems that require coordinated solutions (like protecting common resources);
3. Everyone’s quality of life matters.
This allows them to set high tax rates and use the revenue to build good roads, rail, public transport, comms, etc.
We, OTOH, think people should be allowed to “keep their own money” ... which is fine as long as we’re also okay w only rich ppl having reliable transpo and schools.
We, OTOH, think people should be allowed to “keep their own money” ... which is fine as long as we’re also okay w only rich ppl having reliable transpo and schools.
I should note that I’m talking mostly developed/OECD democracies; developing democracies often have different political economy dynamics because their investment and labor markets look different, and their tax bases are more limited.
Note, also, that good infrastructure “lifts all boats”. Small businesses are better able to compete with good transpo/comms/utilities delivery systems, not to mention education/training/healthcare. This allows more innovation, entrepreneurialism, and choice for the consumer.
