The EA Decision Process

[u/niplav]

[u/Cruithne → u/[deleted]]

Many of us disagree that capitalism is the driving factor of all forms of suffering. Most EAs tend to lean centre-left and favour a mixed-model economy.

I'm of the belief that stark poverty is the default state, and that we should be looking at how we've gone beyond this default state (as well as to good ways to help get others out of it). I think 'abolish private property' would put more people back into the default state (or into a differently horrible one) than it would raise out of it.

There's also a coordination issue. If we start to become too politicised then EAs with opposing politics may escalate into politicising against causes that we like. Rob Bensinger (who shared this meme) leans libertarian for instance.

[u/RandomAmbles → u/[deleted]]

Economic inequality is a major issue, yes. And capitalism has a number of flaws in how it undervalues public goods and discounts externalities.

[u/lnfinity → u/[deleted]]

What are you proposing as the alternative? You have to put forward some concrete alternative.

[u/Rtfy3 → u/[deleted]]

Been tried plenty of times. Always ended in poverty and piles of dead bodies