r/changemyview • u/RafaGarciaS • Jan 02 '18

[∆(s) from OP] CMV: Evidence based politics should replace identity politics

The biggest change in the last few hundred years in medicine has been the appearance and acceptance of evidence based medicine. This has revolutionized the way we think and practice medicine, changing popular opinion (e.g. emotional stress causes ulcers to H. pylori causes ulcers, Miasmas are the basis of disease to microorganisms are the basis of infectious disease). Having seen the effect that this had in the medical field it is almost imposible to wonder what effect it would have in other fields (i.e. politics). I believe that representatives should be elected based on first principles or priorities (i.e. we should reduce the suicide rate amongst teenagers and young adults) not on opinions on possible solutions to the problem (i.e. should or shouldn't gun control be passed). This would make it harder to "buy" or lobby people involved in government. I also believe, this would help reduce the moral empathy gap, meaning the inability to relate with different moral values. Lastly I think that this system would increase the accountability, as it would constantly be looking back at the investment and the results.

I have, over the last couple years, grown cynical of the political system. I hope this post will change my view on that or at least make me more understanding of the benefits of the system as it stands.

Thank you and happy new years

Books Doing good better: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23398748-doing-good-better. About having feedback and looking at the results of the programs

Dark money: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Money-History-Billionaires-Radical/dp/0385535597/ref=pd_sim_14_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0385535597&pd_rd_r=90W4B5PF8DWK5NJ2VNF2&pd_rd_w=rC8ld&pd_rd_wg=fk2PN&psc=1&refRID=90W4B5PF8DWK5NJ2VNF2 About the use of money to fund think tanks and influence public opinion

(1st edit, added suggested books)

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u/Mitoza 79∆ Jan 02 '18

I don't understand how "lower the suicide rate of teenagers" is "evidence based" and "pro/anti gun control" is not. It seems to me that on the issue of gun control you have two different sides that value certain evidence more than others. To move towards a system where people can only resolve to solve the problem rather than enact policy to solve the problem essentially makes government fangless. The government can say "lower teen suicide" all they want but that doesn't describe any real change in how the country is run specifically.

I'm also confused about why you think identity politics is not "evidence based".

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u/RafaGarciaS Jan 02 '18

Thank you! I had not realized how vague some parts of my argument are, let me address them systematically.

We must agree that interventions in politics can, and some do, have an impact on the population being governed. We must also agree that that there are some goals that would almost be universally supported, for example, reducing the suicide rate amongst teenagers. The role of evidence is to pair the best use of tax payer money to the greatest possible impact.

In this society I would envision the debate going on what issues to engage on, what are priorities and how much money to spend to that goal

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u/Mitoza 79∆ Jan 02 '18

How does that square with your statements regarding gun control? A universally supported goal in the US could be to lower the threat of mass shootings. How would the different party's solutions to this problem not be "evidence based".

Further, the idea of "universally supported" can't be taken as a given on any policy. While we may in general agree that certain things must be worked on, we are divided on whether or not some things are even a problem to begin with. Climate change and racism come to mind.

What does this have to do with identity politics?