Re: Freeman Dyson on heresy

On Aug 19, 9:08 pm, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
MooseFET wrote:
Eeyore wrote:
MooseFET wrote:
Eeyore wrote:
MooseFET wrote:
Eeyore wrote:
MooseFET wrote:

Iran was on the democratic path in the past. Today it is largely a
theocracy but the public would prefer a democracy.

I rather doubt that suggestion. There is a well-educated ~10% of the population
who think that way but they are outnumbered by the other 90% who adhere to older
ways.

Where do you get your figures or estimates.

From too many sources to recall now. Like India, Iran has a well educated 'elite'
middle-class who are intelligent, moderately prosperous and knowledgeable about world
affairs. The remainder largely live off the land in fairly primitive conditions by
comparison. Don't expect the same of them !

India is a democracy. If Iran is like it, I don't see why you don't
think it can become one too.

I only meant that Iran and India had a similarly sized educated middle class and a
similarly sized relatively uneducated rural population.

... and...???

Just by the by really.

Some of the middle class Indians also believe that the majority is holding them back too.

You will find folks like that in all countries.

I think they have a point. The middle class tend to be pro-trade and a reduction of tarriff
barriers. The 'traditionalists' have rather tended to follow a protectionist 'go it alone'
policy that has certainly held back commercial and industrial development.

I think you have over simplified the situation. People tend to do
what they think is in their best interests. They see themselves as
being typical of the nation and thus what is good for them must be
good for the nation. It isn't really selfishness so much as a narrow
perspective that is at work.

The middle class will see a different set of trade policies as being
good for nation than will the labor class. Often neither is in fact
good for the nation. The candle maker will believe in free trade for
everything but candles because obviously candles are a special case
and the industry must be protected.

I think the best evidence is that on such matters it is mostly luch
that makes folks stumble onto the better situation. When luck lands
the nation there, it tends to stay there. The problem can be in how
to judge when it is time to experiment.

The US for example, stumbled on the idea of subsidizing corn
production and then exporting it around the world. Basically the US
corn industry has taken over the entire corn market with its low cost
corn and corn based products. The US farmers have stayed in business
and ADM has gotten rich etc but on the down side, we have sickly cows
because cows don't do well when eating corn but the antibiotics are
cheaper than better feed.

.

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