[WS:] It is quite naive, if not arrogant, to think that the masses act against their own interests due to misinformation. It assumes a model of rationality in which people ought to maximize material self-interest, the very same model that Milton Friedman used to equate capitalism with freedom.
For most people, the main motive is to project and defend their dignity - not to maximize their material self-interests. They will sacrifice their material possessions and their own well being to gain respect of their peers. What looks like irrational violence of street thugs, irrational discrimination against unpopular minorities, irrational spending and consumption, or irrational voting pattern of 'hoi polloi' is often a very rational i.e. purpose-oriented behavior to project a desirable social image associated with dignity - honor, respect, independence, machismo, prosperity, "coolness" etc.
People vote for a political party not because they expect that party to line up their pockets. Only business schmucks seeking political protection do that. People vote for a political party because they perceive that party as a reflection and embodiment of the values that make up their own dignity. The 'hoi polloi' tend to value macho toughness and hard-nosed was of doing business. Since the Repug party's image embodies macho toughness and hard-nosed way of doing business, they tend to get the 'hoi polloi' vote, even though their policies are detrimental to the 'hoi polloi' wallets.
Likewise, those who value compassion, cooperation, and conciliation tend to vote for Democrats, because these values are an integral part of the Dem public image. They do so even if Dem policies are detrimental to their material self-interests.
People are quite rational in their public/political behavior, and they know what they are doing. It just that thier goal and means of achieving them are different from what many Leftists think they should be.
Wojtek
On Fri, Jun 11, 2010 at 8:52 AM, John Gulick <john_gulick at hotmail.com>wrote:
>
> Chip Berlet says:
>
> "Astroturf is not the same as manipulated groups of people numbering in
> the millions that would be what Chomsky calls the Propoganda Model."
>
> JG asks:
>
> Incidentally, Chip, doesn't Chomsky's "Propaganda Model" assume that the
> hoi polloi are taking positions against their own interest because they are
> being fed false information and being denied accurate information -- and
> would think and act in their own interest if they had access to the actual
> facts? If so, this model doesn't seem to apply to the vast majority of Tea
> Partiers, either...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
>
> http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3
> ___________________________________
> http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk
>