Alternative Response

This Month's Topic

What should the government role in the economy be?

The original liberal-conservative split was political: monarchy, order, and tradition versus democracy, revolution, and change. With the Industrial Revolution, the question turned to economics and the idea of "economic rights". It was unfettered markets and social stability versus workers rights and government involvement. In the post-Industrial Age, the issues may be different but the question remains: how involved should the government be in economic decisions?

Alternative Response:

You can see here that liberals and conservatives are really singing from the same songbook. What is needed is a true liberation of the economy. The rule of law? Of course, but make the laws clear and minimal. Give people the freedom and the choice to make a living as they see fit. If they have nothing to offer, the market will force them to do something else.

How do we compete in the global marketplace — a corrupt and unfair environment? Well, what good is a national government if it doesn’t support us? We should use tariffs and our laws to favor US and not Chinese imports. You say they can do the same? Let 'em, and see who wins.

— Editor

Conservative Response to this month's topic at A Civil Disagreement