Politicophobia and Simplicitivism

Politicabobia - fear of politics*

Simplicitivism - theory that the simple is often the best approach**

 

One needs to be careful with "ism" and “phobia” words. They often have loose meanings, strict meanings, and sometimes multiple meanings. In almost every endeavor, psychology, philosophy, science, biology, and the full list of topics, there are many, hundreds if not thousands.

In politics, they are easy to apply. The are effective conveying to the listener what is personally imagined. Their greatest application comprise a form of demagoguery, whether through concern or fear.  We have communism, conservativism, progressivism, liberalism, racism, feminism, environmentalism, anarchism, nationalism, capitalism, colonialism, nationalism, and socialism, to name a few.  Of course, there is the anti-version of each.  Where an “ism” is not appropriate, the alternative “phobia” is used such as in homophobia and islamophobia, where cut away is any vestige of theory leaving only a negative attitude.

First set: It seems a relatively small but vocal group of Americans has placed diversity, race, poverty, equity, and all manner of civil rights issues, including transgender bathrooms, as paramount, i.e. above everything else.  Each is associated with and “ism” or “phobia.”  In interpretation, each is vague, but each plays well with the press. 

Second set: A larger but more sober group of Americans regard infrastructure, trade, employment, education, and military problems as critically important for the long-term survival of the country. If needed an “ism” can be tagged to all.  To me, it is a puzzlement why civil issues should be regarded as the most critical of all. This seems cosmologically dumb.

However, name-calling is never the best argument.  I explain.  The first set is easy to understand.  Just give more, spend more, allow more, and then feel good. Great for students. No cognitive demand is required.  The other issues are complicated. Only those well studied have an understanding of their complexity. This is work. The first set is emotional; the second set is intellectual. Of these, the problems of  employment and education require really serious thought, and always have.

No matter which set you prefer, you gotta face realism - eventually. Oops, another “ism.”

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*Politicabobia - fear of politics.  This actually exists, referring to the objects (politicians) or the topic (politics).

**Simplicitivism - theory that the simple is often the best approach.  This actually doesn't exist.  Just made it up, but I'll be you could dash of 1000 words on what it should mean, making a good case, and developing a theory at the same time.