The Gray Area with Sean Illing The rocky marriage between libertarians and conservatives
Sep 2, 2019
Conor Friedersdorf, a staff writer for The Atlantic known for his nuanced views on conservatism, dives into the tumultuous relationship between libertarians and conservatives. He discusses the contradictions in conservative positions on policing and the influence of Trump's presidency on the GOP's identity. Friedersdorf explores the complexities of racism in political discourse and highlights the challenges of engaging younger voters. He also reflects on the decline of the anti-war movement and the evolving media landscape's impact on liberty.
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Information Problems and Markets
- Conor Friedersdorf emphasizes Hayek's information problem, where central planners lack crucial information.
- Markets offer a non-coercive solution, distributing decision-making.
Decline of Local News and Corruption
- Friedersdorf recounts witnessing local newspaper decline and unchecked corruption.
- He highlights a case where a reporter could have exposed $30 million in waste, but due to shrinking local media, no one investigated.
Conservative Views on Law Enforcement
- Some conservatives prioritize limiting federal power but not local law enforcement, says Friedersdorf.
- He attributes this to a mix of local trust and authoritarian tendencies within the conservative movement.
