How Many " 'ism's " Make Unrealistic Assumptions about Human Behavior?

[jj]

Note, it's political theory "ism's" I'm referring to.

Marxism - Yes
Libertarianism - Yes despite Shanek's defamation
Uncontrolled Capitalism - Yes

Others?

What other political "theories" make unwarranted assumptions about human behavior?

Now, I'm not intending to include things like "prohibition", even though they also make unwarranted assumptions about how people will react.

[Nyarlathotep]

I think the easier question would be, name one that doesn't.

[Suddenly]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep
I think the easier question would be, name one that doesn't.

Pragmatism

[Tony]

socialism

[geni]

Any system that starts with the thinking " that whould be nice how can we change people to atchive it" rather than " people are like this what should we do about it"

[fhios]

Fascism, really anything but pessimism

[Tony]

Originally posted by fhios
Fascism, really anything but pessimism

How does fascism make unwarranted assumptions about human behavior?

[Suddenly]

Originally posted by Tony


How does fascism make unwarranted assumptions about human behavior?

It assumes people will put up with it. If we define fascism as dictionary.com does, as:

"A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism"

It also falls into the same trap that communism falls into, that human economic behaviour can be centrally predicted and controlled.

[Tony]

Originally posted by Suddenly


It assumes people will put up with it.


It does? According to your definition, fascism forces people to put up with it.

[Suddenly]

Originally posted by Tony


It does? According to your definition, fascism forces people to put up with it.

No government has yet developed the capacity to force anyone to do anything. The worst they can do is kill you, and that will decrease your efficiency. They kill everyone, and what's the point?

Fascism relies on fear more than force. Once people realize that their lives are worse than their fears, then the system breaks down.

[Tony]

Originally posted by Suddenly


No government has yet developed the capacity to force anyone to do anything.

I disagree, the state forces me to "pay" taxes every time I get a paycheck.


The worst they can do is kill you, and that will decrease your efficiency. They kill everyone, and what's the point?

Fascism relies on fear more than force. Once people realize that their lives are worse than their fears, then the system breaks down.

I’m not arguing, just asking. I like this answer but the fact remains that under fascism, the people are forced into subjugation by the state.

[egslim]

I disagree, the state forces me to "pay" taxes every time I get a paycheck.

Not exactly. You choose to pay your taxes, because you don't like the alternative. So there is a choice.

The government can only enforce a law if the majority of the people puts up with it. The moment 60% of the US population decides to no longer pay taxes there is very little the government can do about it. Their only (small) chance would be scare-tactics, including setting examples.

Prohibition is one example of a law without support by the people, filesharing another.

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by Suddenly


It assumes people will put up with it. If we define fascism as dictionary.com does, as:

"A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism"

It also falls into the same trap that communism falls into, that human economic behaviour can be centrally predicted and controlled.

It can be remarkably effective, if the majority voluntarily support it. Look at Germanies transformation from the hyperinflation of the Weimar Republic to the pre-war days of Hitler. For the majority who fitted in with his vision of things, everything was hunky-dory.

[BillyTK]

I think the problem is is that all "isms" have to start with an claim about human nature (even pragmatism). On the other hand, assuming that human nature is something homogenous, coherent, unchanging and independent of the culture it occurs within is equally fallacious, because a fundamental aspect of human nature is the flexibility with which it adapts to, and seeks to adapt the conditions it exists within. Which is, of course, a claim about human nature and thus disappears in a puff of ontological smoke.

[a_unique_person]

Hmmm, Ontologicalism. I think you are on to something there. I willl start a church next week, white sneakers and kool aid supplied.

[BillyTK]

My epistemological church will get more converts :p :D

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Suddenly


Pragmatism

Maybe, but jj did specify "political isms"

[Tony]

Originally posted by egslim


Not exactly. You choose to pay your taxes, because you don't like the alternative. So there is a choice.


That's Bullsh!t. Its no different than a christian saying you have a choice to choose jesus or go to hell.

[Suddenly]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep


Maybe, but jj did specify "political isms"

I think it is, or can be a political ideal. Pragmatism seems the primary "ism" in my political belief structure, anyway. Maybe I should start a political party or something...

[Hegel]

Capitalism of any type. It assumes that the people who hold money will choose to invest it back into the country where they got the money.

[epepke]

Todo los ismos son lo mismo.

It doesn't work as well in English.

[EvilYeti]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep
I think the easier question would be, name one that doesn't.

EvilYetiism.

My political philosophy is based on the idea that all our problems are primarily due to human nature. So the solution is to make destructive behavior illegal, tax and regulate unhealthy behavior, reward healthy behavior and ignore everything else.

Can I be president now?

[BobK]

Environmentalism.