The anti-libertarian approach to COVID policy
Here is Michael Bang Petersen in the New York Times:
As a researcher and an adviser to the Danish government on the pandemic, I have repeatedly stressed that we need to make complex trade-offs between deaths, the economy, public well-being and constitutional rights. There is not a single right answer for how to proceed. Within the set of legitimate strategies, the choice of strategy is often less important than whether or not people follow and support it.
This perfectly captures the spirit of a sensible response to COVID that balances the claims of democracy and expertise.
Petersen acknowledges that there are complicated tradeoffs involved in policymaking, and that reasonable people can disagree on the best way forward. This encourages people to have some humility about their own policy beliefs. This is essential for democracy, because democracy requires a willingness to compromise.
Petersen also acknowledges that policymakers need to be willing to defer to public opinion. This is also essential for democracy. Good policymaking requires responsible political leaders and competent experts, but these elites need to recognize the limits of their influence. The alternative is populist backlash, which is an all-too-real threat in the United States.
It’s Democracy when the people vote for the designated “elites”.
It’s populism when they don’t.
It’s a supremacist mindset. Without legitimacy (neither intellectual nor educational).
The American way is We The People.
Eric:
Perhaps, I missed it.
Is there an expressed constitutional right specifically stating an individual actions can take precedence over my or others right to safety from their individual actions? Have not seen it.
What we have are lies fostered by a few, believed by a minority of the population causing the latter to feel their rights are being infringed upon by wearing masks, safe distancing, and being inoculated.
Where is it said they have a right to do none of this and still occupy space in close proximity to others? Masking and safe distances are simple things to do. Both protect others from being infected. Eventually, Covid will decrease their numbers.
What we have are lies fostered by a few, believed by a minority…
I would add: benefited by the effect of media’s projection to present larger than they are…
Daniel
Media megaphone broadcasting the lies and fear.