I must admit I struggled to listen to this. I'm a bit bummed that Dr. Loury didn't push back more aggressively on some of Dr. Bessner's more ridiculous points. Bessner is seemingly a Howard Zinn disciple. Every step the US has made has been in error and that we are the true evil. It lacks nuance. Many times in US history we have chosen not to intervene and it's often worked out to horrific ends. We have also intervened to exceeding results (I'll site the post WWII occupation of Japan). Created equal rights for the people, ushered in democracy, ultimately a largely market based system and created an example for the region of prosperity as their GDP and standard of living rose from obscurity to the 3rd largest economy in the world.... From a relatively small island. Capitalism is the root of all evil in Bessner's world and the US hegemony has been a predominant reign of terror. We have had our missteps, but this relatively short reign as the global hegemony has to be among the most benevolent in world history. It's educators like Bessner that make me concerned to send my kids to public schools. I'm 100% open to fair critiques of US engagements. I am, however, not okay with propaganda openly slandering this nation. I'll note - the nations he holds in such high esteem produce virtually no value (GDP/Capita is a joke) and have leaders that place the relative plight of their citizens about 20th on their list, while those politically connect to them are enriched beyond measure. Capitalism isn't perfect. Rent seekers ought to be sought out aggressively. I'm all about platforming people like this, but please don't treat them with kid gloves.
I must admit I struggled to listen to this. I'm a bit bummed that Dr. Loury didn't push back more aggressively on some of Dr. Bessner's more ridiculous points. Bessner is seemingly a Howard Zinn disciple. Every step the US has made has been in error and that we are the true evil. It lacks nuance. Many times in US history we have chosen not to intervene and it's often worked out to horrific ends. We have also intervened to exceeding results (I'll site the post WWII occupation of Japan). Created equal rights for the people, ushered in democracy, ultimately a largely market based system and created an example for the region of prosperity as their GDP and standard of living rose from obscurity to the 3rd largest economy in the world.... From a relatively small island. Capitalism is the root of all evil in Bessner's world and the US hegemony has been a predominant reign of terror. We have had our missteps, but this relatively short reign as the global hegemony has to be among the most benevolent in world history. It's educators like Bessner that make me concerned to send my kids to public schools. I'm 100% open to fair critiques of US engagements. I am, however, not okay with propaganda openly slandering this nation. I'll note - the nations he holds in such high esteem produce virtually no value (GDP/Capita is a joke) and have leaders that place the relative plight of their citizens about 20th on their list, while those politically connect to them are enriched beyond measure. Capitalism isn't perfect. Rent seekers ought to be sought out aggressively. I'm all about platforming people like this, but please don't treat them with kid gloves.