Mistaking power for virtue

Simon Wren-Lewis wonders why some economic journalists have been too generous to George Osborne's claim that austerity has worked. The answer lies with Adam Smith. We have, he says, "a disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful":

We frequently see the respectful attentions of the world more strongly directed towards the rich and the great, than towards the wise and the virtuous. We see frequently the vices and follies of the powerful much less despised than the poverty and weakness of the innocent. (Theory of Moral Sentiments,I.III.29)

What the FT and Ms Flanders (to take Simon's examples) are doing in giving Mr Osborne too much credit is exactly what Gordon Brown did when he praised the "great personal warmth and kindness" of Paul Dacre. They are mistaking power for virtue.

This error mightn't be due merely to the hope of favour. As Smith said, "Our obsequiousness to our superiors more frequently arises from our admiration for the advantages of their situation, than from any private expectations of benefit from their good-will."

To put this into modern, Lakoffian, terms, what's going on here is a form of framing (pdf). The "corridors of power" frame people so well that venality and mediocrity appear as virtue and wisdom.

One way of correcting this framing is to ask ourselves of a political speech or newspaper article: what would we think of this if it were a blog? I suspect we'd overlook Osborne's thoughts as juvenile cliches. And we'd pass over that notorious Geoffrey Levy piece as mere linkbait, pausing perhaps only to wonder about the state of mental health care.

This framing-induced deference has two pernicious effects. One is that it is yet another way in which inequality feeds on itself. The other is that it helps to narrow the Overton window. In giving excessive respect to the ideas of the powerful, we help to entrench such "thoughts". And the counterpart of this is that ideas - from right and left - which aren't in the mainstream are dismissed as "unworkable" - if, indeed, they are even considered.

Luckily, though, the Overton window does shift: for example, within my lifetime, public ownership of utilities has gone from being received wisdom to unthinkable and might now be shifting back again.

Exactly how the Overton window does shift is unclear. What is clear, though, is that moving requires us to ditch some centuries-old cognitive biases. 

Comments

[Jim M.]

I fear that any admonition of the fair Ms Flanders will fall on deaf ears, for she has gone over to the dark side!

http://insights.jpmorgan.co.uk/investor/j-p-morgan-asset-management-hires-bbc-economics-editor-stephanie-flanders-as-chief-market-strategist-for-the-uk-and-europe/?gclid=CLyri4as_bkCFU3LtAodLlUAOA

[Luis Enrique]

I don't know about this. Is it possible to imagine a world in which we do not admire the rich and powerful in this fashion? If so, in such an imaginary world, if we had a non-admired Chancellor of the Exchequer say "I am going to enact a policy which will entail some suffering but is necessary and will do good in the long-run" and then some years later "See, now the economy is growing: may plan has worked" I conjecture that people would still take the claim seriously, simply because many people would say it looks like a substantial argument. And possibly agree with it, whoever was making it.

Plus the counter argument is pretty convoluted. I think the counter argument is that the suffering was not necessary and the eventual recovery is no sign of the policy having done some good. I don't think these ideas occur very naturally to many people.

[charlieman]

Perhaps before your awareness of UK politics, Luis, but the UK had a grey Prime Minister in John Major. He was the UK PM who presided during the first Gulf War, cold war transition and Northern Ireland peace discussions. And Black Wednesday and ineffectual wibbling over Bosnia.

John Major achieved good things, and failed on other occasions. Few people recall his positive achievements.

Disclaimer: I have never voted for the Conservative party.

[Steven Clarke]

"What is clear, though, is that moving requires us to ditch some centuries-old cognitive biases. "

Most people aren't aware they have them, and I suspect even those that do would find it very hard to alter their thinking.

[Ralph Musgrave]

Chris,

You are quite right to constantly refer to the Overton window. Personally I’d like to give it a more brutally realistic name like “robotic, intolerant, myopia of the man in the street” (RIMMIS for short). But then I always err on the side of insults, foul language, etc. Just my style. Do you think “RIMMIS” might catch on?..:-)

[chris]

@ Luis: many subcultures haven't admired the rich and powerful; why couldn't these become mainstream?
@ Ralph: I sympathize, but I'm not sure you persuade people by insulting them (or - what is often the same thing - telling the truth about them).

[Luis Enrique]

I expressed myself poorly - I just meant to tee up a thought experiment in which I argue Osbourne's claim would be taken seriously even if we didn't put public figures on pedestals.

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