Conservatism or Corporatism?

[bord-du-rasoir.livejournal.com]

What accounts for the spikes in these graphs? Conservative (free market) policy or corporatist (government intervention) policy?









Why'd average Wall St. bonus pay recently quadruple average annual salaries? Why'd the financial sector recently triple the nonfinancial sector? Why'd the highest incomes recently increase 36 times faster than median family income?

Provide concrete explanations as to how X (policy) caused Y (economic indicator). Point to specific legislation or executive orders.

The liberal position is predictable: The unprecedented extreme growth in the financial sector and increased inequality is bad. Free market policy (deregulation of banks --> derivatives market expansion --> collapse) is to blame.

I'm more interested in the conservative position: How do you explain the unprecedented growth in the financial sector and the increased income inequality? What're the causes? Is corporatism (government interventionism) responsible? If so, how? Do you draw a connection between the above figures and the financial collapse?

I honestly don't understand the conservative position.

Comments

[majortom-thecat.livejournal.com]

Wow. I hope I never end up working for or living near a corporation that has such limited principles!

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

Thankfully, you have that choice!

[majortom-thecat.livejournal.com]

Not really. Sometimes there aren't a lot of options.

[mrbogey.livejournal.com]

The desirability of a choice does not negate the existence of the choice.

We're in a nation where our forefathers risked their lives just to move from one state to another yet people today act as if the world will end if there is a change in their lifestyle.

[majortom-thecat.livejournal.com]

I don't mean to pry, but are you one of those people who dress up in period costumes at tea party rallies?

Sorry, that wasn't nice. I do agree that changes in lifestyle are sometimes inevitable and crucial but shouldn't include things like having to live with pollution and living in poverty when employers can easily afford to pay better.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

There are always options.

[majortom-thecat.livejournal.com]

That is a lovely thought, but I'm not convinced.

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

Don't you know, everyone can afford to live in a nice middle class neighbourhood.

[majortom-thecat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've seen those preachers on tv. You just have to really really believe that God wants you to have that house, and then send in your money so you can be blessed.