I don't see zero-sum thinkers as "idiots". Rather, the prevalence of such attitudes is a fundamental aspect of human nature that we have to reckon with.
> the prevalence of such attitudes is a fundamental aspect of human nature that we have to reckon with
If a proposal requires changing human nature, it’s safe to dismiss. I’m saying that your argument for why UBI is dismissed is itself an argument for dismissing it.
I disagree that it's an aspect of human nature. It's primarily cultural and that's why we can observe significant differences in the level of individualism in different societies.
Another adjacent example is justice system and reform. American system is punitive and even barbaric in many ways, while most European countries have a system that's heavily centered around reform and reintegration. This is all cultural.
Hostility towards the ethnic/cultural "other" exists in all societies. The emphasis on a "fairness" which preserves structural advantage over the "other" is also universal.
There's nothing unique about Americans who believe that those "others" (Blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, LGBTQ, etc in the contemporary US case) are undeserving and who reject universally beneficial programs because they benefit the "other" equally.
There are plenty of areas of human interest where resources are zero-sum, especially in the short term.
Using that term without nuance is about as helpful as shouting "SuPpLy and DeManD!!" in every economic discussion because you saw an Econ 101 book one time in a library.
Well, I agree that we can't have a productive discussion if that's how you see my commentary, but I happen to think that designing social programs which take into account baser human resentments is a worthwhile endeavor, e.g. "Social Security isn't a tax" and all that.
