Nick Cohen on Thomas Frank

[Charles Brown <cbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Frank's __question_ is, why are people bring
economically irrational? The "superprofits" theory,
which I think does not fit the facts, dismisses
Frank's question rather than answering it. Which is
OK, but I'd rather see what economically irrational
elements there are that might be going on here. I
suspect on Theory of Ideology grounds, that people
actually are often economically irrational. This has
been a major theme in my own scholarly reserach and
writing, so I havea  hobbyhorse to ride. Jks


^^^^^
CB: Well, yea. You are looking for a rational explanation for why the people
in Kansas are acting irrationally.

One might also consider that the people in Kansas _think_ they are acting
rationally. Perhaps they have the same illusion that Engels and Lenin had
about Britain and the other Big Powers of a century ago. And said
consideration wouldn't even contradict some the explanations you come up
with for their irrational actions.

On the other hand, maybe the people in Kansas are somewhat rational and
self-interested - something like the socalled rational man in the economic
models.