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Three Conservative Rhetorical Theses
- Albert Hirschman identifies three persistent conservative rhetorical arguments: perversity, futility, and jeopardy theses.
- These patterns recur from Edmund Burke to modern conservatives like Paul Ryan, shaping resistance to progressive reform.
Perversity Thesis Explained
- The perversity thesis argues that attempts to improve society perversely produce the opposite of intended improvements.
- Conservatives often invoke this thesis to claim welfare and social reforms worsen conditions rather than help.
Futility Thesis on Social Change
- The futility thesis claims efforts to improve society are futile because fundamental societal inequalities or power structures remain unchanged.
- This thesis is used by conservatives and radical leftists alike to criticize reforms as insufficient.