A dangerous gap exists between our personal experience, which is mainly happy, and our view of a society in decline, writes Matthew Taylor. Progressive ideology relies on the capacity of human beings to live fulfilled lives in a just and co-operative society. That people whose beliefs imply optimism seem to spend most of their time wallowing in pessimism is one reason that leftists sometimes lack personal credibility (another reason being that egalitarians so clearly enjoy being very well-off). But miserable idealists need to make a New Year resolution to look on the bright side. Pessimism is becoming an impediment to progressive politics. It is 50 years since J K Galbraith coined the phrase "private affluence and public squalor"; today, the dichotomy is between private hubris and public pessimism.
New Statesman 3 Jan 2008
About the Editor
- Rod Benson
- Sydney, Australia
- Rod Benson is an ethicist and public theologian with the Tinsley Institute.
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