David Brooks, in a nutshell?
Wunderkind Ben Casnocha summarizes a talk:
David Brooks, columnist, New York Times:
- "I’ll be brief because many of you are academics, and you’re not here to hear me talk, you’re here to hear yourselves talk."
- He likes Edmund Burke.
- People learn when there’s an emotional connection.
- All factions of conservative movement united around distrust of government – this ain’t enough.
- Obama’s perceptiveness / self-awareness / stability is striking.
- McCain’s morality is based on honor, not morality. #1 trait is aloofness – somewhat detached personality.
- Conservatism shouldn’t have permanent policies (like tax cuts): don’t get moral about a situational policy issue.
- Conservatism is about not knowing much; modest about what we can know/do.
- Conservatism is philosophy first, policy second. Liberalism is policy first, philosophy later.
- Conservatism values social mobility more than equality.
- Top issues in the election: bipartisanship, immigration, healthcare.
- People aren’t solely self-interested economic rational creatures.
If this were the case, why would 30% of students drop out of high
school even though it’s econ ruinous to do so? - What’s the point of being a democrat if you can’t play the class card?
- Bush seems 40 IQ points smarter in private than in public.
I agree with many of these, although I am not sure that conservatism puts philosophy first. Does it not put experience first? Also, I think the main issue in the election is George W. Bush.