differing notions of privilege
January 28, 2012
Paul Krugman analyzes Obama’s State of the Union + Gov. Daniels’ response, and partisan differences on economic growth, by debunking the pull-myself-by-bootstraps myth:
So … Mr. Daniels … got his facts wrong, but he did, unintentionally, manage to highlight an important philosophical difference between the parties. One side believes that economies succeed solely thanks to heroic entrepreneurs; the other has nothing against entrepreneurs, but believes that entrepreneurs need a supportive environment, and that sometimes government has to help create or sustain that supportive environment.
And the view that it takes more than business heroes is the one that fits the facts.
It is a helpful observation that uplifts the boot-strapper myth — the privilege, the privilege of supporters, resources and buttresses that anyone embarking on a new venture requires backing. As the heartofbusiness.com describes it, “the Most Dangerous Myth” of business.
