| | Interesting article Mr. Machan.
Yet, even more interesting is your proposed idea of politicians encouraging people to be self-interested instead of criticizing the people for being selfish.
I sometimes wonder why service to the public is viewed as nobler (especially by most politicians) than service to oneself. I usually write this off as being a product of the times; that the politicians themselves are simply expressing the ideas they have been raised to embrace. But I can't help thinking that there is something sinister behind the call to public service.
In regards to your preferred politician pitch, I think it may work out well with many voters. It is a sharp contrast to the overused "public service" rhetoric, and this alone would attract attention. Voters want to be supported by their representatives and the call to self-interested action would certainly inspire.
However, there is a danger to this strategy. It could be labeled as "selfish." If this happens, the average voter's thought process may look like this: "I agree with politician A's idea of rationally pursued, self-interested goals, but I don't want to be selfish."
This is why it is important for people to distinguish between short-sighted, mindless selfishness and far-sighted, enlightened selfishness. In the current society, however, most would agree that there is no distinction to be made, that selfishness is bad no matter what.
So, people are left with the option of being a selfish, greedy monster (Egoism?) or a sweet, benevolent human being (Altruism?).
Is it any wonder why altruism still prevails in modern culture?
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