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In reply to the discussion: Liberalism in Europe 'facing its biggest fight' against the far-right and 'the politics of fear' [View all]pampango
(24,692 posts)13. "I don't think you will find that any European liberals are pro-union." Really?
Where do the strong unions of Europe get their support? Certainly not from the conservative end of the political spectrum.
In Britain, since Maggie's time the conservative party has imitated the American Republican party. If you call that a free market position, then maybe, but I call in crony capitalism. Other than that, the European right is associated with nationalism, not "the invisible hand."
I think most of us would associate Maggie with a republican-like adherence to the 'free market'. Calling that "crony capitalism" is fair enough.
I don't see why you contend that Maggie or the modern far-right not are not committed to the 'invisible hand' and the 'free market'. The nationalists in France want France to compete with Germany, not cooperate with it. The same with the nationalist far-right in the UK. They do not seek cooperation but rather competition. Anyone who believes that enhanced competition (and less cooperation) will produce a better greater good is a believer in the 'invisible hand' of competition.
... individuals' efforts to pursue their own interest may frequently benefit society more than if their actions were directly intending to benefit society.
Led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention, by pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.
The 'invisible hand' applied to the actions of countries would be "by pursuing its own interest each country promotes that of the greater society more effectually than when it really tries to enhance the greater good intentionally.
To me that fits nicely with the far-right's nationalism.
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Liberalism in Europe 'facing its biggest fight' against the far-right and 'the politics of fear' [View all]
pampango
Mar 2015
OP
I suppose the collective memory of the evil of fascism is dying with that generation passing away.
pampango
Mar 2015
#2
The liberals are "misguided" but not the far-right? The latter simply reflects "reasonable fear"?
pampango
Mar 2015
#7
OK, I'm trying to find your Tower Hamlets segregated swimming pool story
muriel_volestrangler
Mar 2015
#21
And that is what we need to address. These things are fearful but FDRs words ring even truer today
jwirr
Mar 2015
#26
Most liberals in Europe do believe in markets though they have tempered that with strong safety
pampango
Mar 2015
#8
"I don't think you will find that any European liberals are pro-union." Really?
pampango
Mar 2015
#13
Mercantilism is not 'competition among nations'. It is economic policy to benefit one country over
pampango
Mar 2015
#19
That certainly proves that nazis din't believe in the 'free market'. Nationalism and militarism
pampango
Mar 2015
#15
Yes, as I said, they are not socialists, and neither is the US Democratic party
muriel_volestrangler
Mar 2015
#29
The EU exists only to further neoliberalism and capital run amok so I hope it busts.
TheKentuckian
Mar 2015
#12
Let's hope that the income equality and overall prosperity in Europe does not go bust
pampango
Mar 2015
#16
The whole agenda of the EU is to undo income equality, strip away those protections,
TheKentuckian
Mar 2015
#22
If that were true, Europe would not have the world's best income equality and would have lost
pampango
Mar 2015
#25
No, I meant what I said not what you want to jump off on. Why do you just put words in people's
TheKentuckian
Mar 2015
#27