Some Definitions and Distinctions:
There are two types of "politics" - partisan politics and ideological politics.
The focus of partisan politics is the candidates for a particular public office. The discussions of partisan politics are in terms of "good guys" and "bad guys," "who should be in charge this term," "who is best...
more »Some Definitions and Distinctions:
There are two types of "politics" - partisan politics and ideological politics.
The focus of partisan politics is the candidates for a particular public office. The discussions of partisan politics are in terms of "good guys" and "bad guys," "who should be in charge this term," "who is best qualified to make decisions for and exercise power over the rest of us." This group is not about partisan politics. If you want to talk about who is the best candidate or who is a "bad guy," do it elsewhere.
The focus of ideological politics is moral principles and/or how society works.
There are two types of ideological politics: dogmatism and critical analysis. The former asserts "if its right its right, end of question." The latter believes that any political choice involves material and moral trade-offs and a discussion of evidence and argument. If G_d or Nature or Reality or the Material Productive Force or the Blood of Your Superior Race has spoken to you on these questions, more power to you. Now please go elsewhere.
This group is about critical discussion of ideological politics. If you believe that you are in possession of final and absolute truth, you don't belong here. If you believe that "everyone has a right to his opinion" but no one has a duty to justify his opinions, you don't belong here. If you believe that politics is simply "war by another name," that it is a struggle for power and nothing more, you don't belong here.
If you have spent some some substantial amount of time thinking about and reading about political matters [which includes what use to be called moral politics and/or political economy], if you believe that you have developed some coherent and systematic opinions about these matters, but are willing to change your mind based on the other guys presentation to you of evidence and logical arguments, and if you believe that something more than bare unjustified "opinions" is possible in such discussions, then you do belong here.
Welcome. Please add to the discussions and add books to the group shelf.
A couple of additional words:
(1) If your opinions concerning political matters are a part of your anatomy, such that you can't discern between the other guy attacking an argument or position that you are suggesting and you personally, please grow up. You are welcome here, but the only remedy that will be granted for your sensitive feelings is sympathy for your lack of discernment and maturity.
(2) If, however, you persistently attack other persons personally, if, for instance, you suggest that they are evil or repulsive or even not as nice as you are, you will be warned a couple times and then removed. None of us here know one another personally. We don't know whether the other guy is any of the good or bad things that we may admire or deplore in real world human beings. If you don't like the other guy's opinion explain why WITH SPECIFICITY and explain your contrary evidence or arguments. Don't attack the other guy personally, even to the extent of suggesting that his mother probably wears army shoes.
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