Throughout the entirety of the pandemic, we have seen various takes on how to stop the spread of the virus, whilst maintaining adequate economic performance. Australia has been a poster boy for the ‘lockdown’ and stop the spread view, whereas America (among many others) took the viewpoint of allowing travel and preventing lockdowns to ensure businesses survive. Over the short run, America’s plan might seem like a good idea — economically, it makes more sense to leave the businesses open and sacrifice a small population for that to happen. But does it? Let’s look at the numbers: America’s economic growth dropped 31.4% in 2020 Q2 and has had over 600 000 deaths. Australia’s economic growth dropped by a record 7%, which has quickly returned to positive growth and has had 910 deaths. Compare the pair… American businesses have suffered insurmountably compared to what their Australian counterparts have experienced. When Australia have had cases arise, they have been quick to lockdown the population, stop the spread, contact trace and usually within a few days, reopen as normal. Whilst business have ostensibly struggled through this stop start lockdown process, over the long run, they have been able to operate far more efficiently than in the US for example, whilst simultaneously ensuring that deaths are minimised. This ties into the notion of libertarian unity. In times of need and strife, Australia’s libertarian democracy banded together for the greater good — realising that sacrificing their ‘freedom of movement’ for brief periods was for the good of their neighbours. This indicates the working of a strong democracy with bipartisan faith in their leadership to do what is right. However, the US has failed to lockdown their citizens for cries of infringements on personal rights. Whilst we all know personal rights are essential to a functioning democracy, we must focus on the good of the collective, not just the individual in cases such as the pandemic. Lockdowns aren’t easy - but they are definitely better than the alternative
the ‘tragedy of the commons’ means some will always value personal gain over the group.
interesting cultural differences between the hyper-individualistic US and more family/community minded asian cultures.
i think a capitalist free market society is the best we can do... to tame the inherent greed/evil/selfishness/laziness of human apes... but unfortunately it requires infinite “growth”, and almost always cannot deal with ‘common goods’.
this is why i am pessimistic about our human future... climate change/ wars over resource depletion (water/ energy), pollution.
i think we are fucked... but i take solace in the fact that the cockroaches will survivef us and go on to evolve perhaps into some intelligent life.
i agree.
public health is a ‘common good’.
the ‘tragedy of the commons’ means some will always value personal gain over the group.
interesting cultural differences between the hyper-individualistic US and more family/community minded asian cultures.
i think a capitalist free market society is the best we can do... to tame the inherent greed/evil/selfishness/laziness of human apes... but unfortunately it requires infinite “growth”, and almost always cannot deal with ‘common goods’.
this is why i am pessimistic about our human future... climate change/ wars over resource depletion (water/ energy), pollution.
i think we are fucked... but i take solace in the fact that the cockroaches will survivef us and go on to evolve perhaps into some intelligent life.