Dare to defend liberalism throughout Christmas dinner! | EUROtoday
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NChristmas is the time for household reunions, but additionally for countless debates along with your uncle on the finish of the desk. The one who thinks that liberalism is simply “giving to the rich and letting the others die”, “letting the fox free into the henhouse”, and who perceives the market as a jungle the place the legislation of the strongest reigns. If this yr you’re feeling able to defend one other imaginative and prescient of the world, here’s a information to clarify liberalism to those that hate it… with out figuring out something about it clearly. It can be a chance to reread one of the best articles from Point on these topics… So, prepared to take a seat down?
1. Warm up with an thought: “Liberalism is freedom”
Barely have you ever began the aperitif when your uncle provides the primary blow: “So your liberalism means letting everyone do anything! » Then offer to serve it again before replying: “Not exactly, uncle. Liberalism is above all the idea that everyone must be able to make their choices: their religion, their profession, what they buy, what they think, what they say, where they live, etc. But that doesn’t mean doing anything and everything: your freedom ends where that of others begins. »
2. Continue by twisting the necks of a few commonplaces: the State is not an enemy (but must learn to interfere in what concerns it)
While refilling the red wine, your uncle might say: “Ah, your thing is to abolish the State, to privatize everything, huh? » And you answer: “Not at all! Liberalism is not about getting rid of the State, it’s just about preventing it from doing everything for us. For example, today France is the most taxed country in the world, the State spends almost 60% of GDP, and would you say that everything is working for the best? No. The hospital and the school are in crisis, public services are inefficient and we have never spent so much on them in history! If it were a private company, the state would have gone bankrupt a long time ago! Let him focus on the essentials, like security or justice, and leave the rest to people who know how to do and manage better. »
Little game: compare the efficiency of Uber or Amazon with that of a health insurance fund or a town hall. Compare the delivery time of an Amazon package with the production time of your ID card…
3. Anticipate accusations about solidarity
By taking a little more cheese, your uncle will be able to tell you: “Your liberalism is selfishness. Every man for himself and too bad for the poor! » You can answer him: “But no, uncle. Liberalism is not being against solidarity, it is saying that it works better when it is chosen, not imposed. Look, people spontaneously donate to the Restos du Cœur or to the Telethon. Do they need to be forced? No. »
Finally, don’t forget that money doesn’t grow on trees and that what the State gives you with one hand, it takes back with the other. Agree for a social safety net for everyone, but not a hammock that encourages the dependence of some on the backs of others. Burdening people with paperwork and taxes simply doesn’t work to solve social problems.
4. Launch: “Long live free trade!” »
When passing across the field of candied chestnuts, your uncle would possibly say: “Your free commerce is simply in order that we are able to purchase issues overseas whereas our farmers are dying, proper? » “Not in any respect, uncle. Free commerce is a win-win. For shoppers such as you, which means extra selection, higher merchandise, and sometimes extra inexpensive costs. But for producers, it is usually the chance to search out cheaper uncooked supplies and promote their merchandise in international locations the place there may be demand. For instance, a French winemaker can export his bottles to China, the place they’re very talked-about, and in return purchase cheaper agricultural gear from Italy or Germany. »
And you add: “Here uncle, inform me the place the salmon you’re consuming comes from? » With this instance, your uncle will maybe perceive that free commerce can be what permits our farmers and fishermen to stay higher whereas persevering with to fill his desk with their merchandise.
5. Talk about Argentina’s success
At the time of the digestive, uncle will convey out his greatest argument: “Ultraliberalism creates inequalities and poverty, the proof in Argentina. »
In actuality, liberalism has been little applied on this planet. When that is the case, the poor stay higher, and the nation turns into richer as a complete. There is a direct hyperlink between the extent of financial freedom and indicators akin to happiness, wealth or prosperity.
Javier Milei’s ends in Argentina are an instance: in simply six months, the poverty charge fell from 55% to 39%, based on the Ministry of Human Capital. All this with 50% approval from public opinion after a yr of motion.
6. End on a light-weight be aware for dessert: the liberty to decide on
“Uncle, liberalism isn’t a factor for technocrats or the wealthy. It’s only a means of claiming: let’s belief folks, let’s cease mothering them. And then look, in your life, do you favor to be imposed on you or to be left to resolve? That’s liberalism. »
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Answer
With this information, it is possible for you to to clarify liberalism merely with out getting misplaced in sophisticated speeches. And who is aware of, perhaps your uncle will go away with a unique imaginative and prescient of the topic… or no less than with a well-started log.
* Kevin Brookes is a trainer on the Catholic University of Lille; Grégory Lenne is an economist and thinker; Louise Baroin is a pupil at Sciences Po Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Audencia.
https://www.lepoint.fr/debats/osez-defendre-le-liberalisme-pendant-le-repas-de-noel-23-12-2024-2578559_2.php