The Missing Link

April 26, 2006

How More People Can Win the Culture Wars (Even if They Disagree!)

I've long touted the benefits of local authority, in part because it enables more people to live under laws that they prefer.

Let's say, hypothetically, that 50 percent of Americans believe there should be prayer in school, while 50 percent think prayer in school should be prohibited (pretend there aren't constitutional concerns for a moment).

If you have one national policy, then half the people are happy and half are unhappy.

But if states where a majority of people favor school prayer have it, and states where a majority of people oppose school prayer don't, then maybe 60 percent of people are happy and 40 percent of people aren't.

And if you decide at the school district level, maybe 85 percent of people are happy and 15 percent are unhappy.

Some are saying that this approach might be the answer to the culture wars.

Posted by Conor at April 26, 2006 10:03 PM