A new study from WalletHub that ranks states by their level independence (or lack thereof) has surprising results. Of the 10 most independent states, 3 voted Trump in the last election. Which raises an interesting question. Why do voters in those states favor big government when they don’t generally benefit from the handouts?
Man is, as Aristotle said, the social animal, not because he is kind-hearted and community-minded. Homo sapiens is social, kind-hearted, and community-minded precisely because he is sapient: wise enough to understand that his own interests are better served through cooperation and peace than through isolation and predation.
Most political ignorance is not the result of stupidity, but of largely rational behavior. The chance that your vote will make a difference to the outcome of an election is infinitesimally small (about 1 in 60 million for a presidential election). The best approach to mitigating political ignorance is not to give up on empowering ordinary people, but to empower them in a different way.
Adam Smith's argument in favor of free trade and against protectionism is just as relevant and persuasive today as it was in 1776. Domestic producers and manufacturers are always better organized than the consumers, and they foster political support for protectionist trade policies that are in direct opposition to the interests and welfare of the great body of the people.
