AN AMERICAN WEAKNESS
by Theo Pavlidis © 2020
Abstract
This is an essay about the deep reasons behind the poor response of the United States to the COVID-19 epidemic. The following quote (from the August 6, 2020 issue of the New York Times) summarizes the issue: "Nearly every country has struggled and made mistakes, but the U.S. is the only affluent nation to have suffered a severe, sustained outbreak for so long." This quote leads to an article about the specific missteps of the response. I follow a different approach.
What is different between the U.S. and other affluent nations? In my view a major difference is that between the parliamentary system (of most affluent nations) and the American system of diffuse governance where individual legislators have far more power than individual members of a parliament. While the parliamentary system does not eliminate the influence of hidden special interests it makes it far more difficult for them. It costs a lot more money to "buy" a party than to "buy" a few politicians. As a result, much of the American public life, including education, is hampered by such influences.
I discuss the evidence for hidden interference in education and point out that there is no need for a conspiracy as long as agents have similar objectives.
I do not claim to have proved anything. I only provide suggestions that can be the start of a discussion. |