Thomas Sowell describes an inherent and longstanding conflict between competing vision of the world. Sowell drives down to the deepest levels of abstraction to trace the origins of political difference to the fundamental views of the nature of humanity, the world, and ethics. The book explains how the two political parties in the US so reliably find themselves taking opposing views on the problems and corresponding solutions to issues plaguing the world. Sowell’s assertion is that this reliable difference is due to deeply held, though often implicit, fundamental premises about the world in its description and operation. This bifurcation is between those who see the world as unconstrained and those who hold a constrained view of the world.
These visions or worldviews are like maps that compress the complexity of the world into a easily tractable landscape of the major features of reality. The political conflict stems from fundamentally opposed maps and visions of reality. I find his framework both compelling and full of explanatory power to illuminate current struggles and disagreements.
The Constrained Vision
Nature of Man: Man is inherently limited. Man is born brutish and selfish and fallen, society may use his selfish motives to restrain anti-social behavior. Primarily concerned with man’s intentions and motivations.
Nature of World: Highly concerned with accurately describing and dealing with the world as it is. World is infinitely complex such that it is impossible or counterproductive to try to directly achieve ends. The world can only be managed via trade-offs. Since all actions are tradeoffs, best we can do is set up fair rules and process.
Nature of Government: Checks and balances because no one can be trusted with power. The exception that demands special explanation is poverty, war, and crime. Carefully balance trade-offs and maintain fair rules so that individuals may have opportunity to prosper.
The Unconstrained Vision
Nature of Man: Man is unlimited, untapped potential. Man is born pure and virtuous, corrupted only by institutions and culture. Each person is a blank slate that is subsequently corrupted. Primarily concerned with outward actions and incentives.
Nature of World: Primarily motivated with concern for the world as it ought to be. World is infinitely malleable to human intention and man’s objectives. Any deficiency is the result of evil intention. The world must achieve desirable solutions. The right thing is to achieve fair outcomes and objectives.
Nature of Government: Empower of moral and intellectual superiors to steer society. The exception that demands special explanation is wealth, peace, and civility. Banish the evil that is localized in individuals and institutions so that the possible utopia may prevail upon the land.
Normally one could neatly fit many progressive or Democrat politicians into the unconstrained vision and place most conservative or Republican politicians into the constrained vision. However, President Trump violates many dimensions of this dichotomy. His actions in office seem to tilt much more to the unconstrained vision than the typical republican politician. He is not laissez faire and free market oriented. He exhibits aspects of a “strong man” whom his follower trust with power to make the world better. He does not deal in trade-offs so much as grand solutions. This can be understood in terms of his populist principles and repudiation of traditional conservative or neoconservative ideals.