I recently read a review of Fear
Itself by Ira Katznelson in Christian
Century. The book is about the New Deal under Franklin D. Roosevelt and how
it impacted our present times. It is on my to order list for my Kindle.
There is one section of this review that caught my eye and
imagination. It had to do with the impact of the New Deal on the domestic front
in relation to economics and the roll the South played in how the New Deal
unrolled; a tipping point* in our history. (The author also believes that the New Deal pulled the world back from the brink of disaster.)
In the early and most radical part of the New Deal southern
congressional members were convinced that the status quo of the racial order
had to be maintained along with the expanding role of the federal oversight of
the economy. As a result large numbers of African-Americans were not part of
the new regulations. Regional autonomy was also emphasized.
This is the interesting part that Kratznelson concludes; that if
the South had voted differently or had fewer votes “the United States might
have ended up looking more like the European-style social democracy” with more
of a commitment to the common good.
I have wondered over the years why European countries seem far more
socially progressive in terms of social welfare systems than we are. This may
well in part explain our differences and why we often seem so backward in
social programs and have gone to a troublesome time, which we now see.
Our current do-nothing legislature in the past year did nothing
about reforming immigration laws, tax reform, climate change or raising minimum
wage. This congress has done less that any congress for 40 years.
We see some changes on the horizon that may make us a more socially
responsible country; progressive voices seem to be finding their voice despite
the undue influence of the wealthy power brokers in this country and currently
make congress their toadies.
On a side note and a positive note, is the election of Pope
Francis. I noted the other day a TV commentator saying that this pope is
spending less time on social issues and more on the issues of the poor. It was
a dumb statement. Those issues of the poor are social issues. What the
commentator was trying to say is that this pope is not highlighting infighting
in organized religion about entrenched doctrines that hurt people, but
accenting the teachings of Jesus as found in the Sermon on the Mount/Plain.
This is a social action Pope with his priorities clear on the teachings of
Jesus that is paramount in our care for each other and our connections with
each other.
While our human nature I believe tends to drag us down and splinter
humans into a dog eat dog mentality with the result of uncontrolled capitalism
created vast differences between the wealthy and others. I also belief that God
lifts up leaders that guide us to a more enlightened and positive path, such as
Pope Francis. We also hear the social gospel in the progressives of our era
such as Bill Moyers and Robert Reich, to name a couple. This folk call us back
to accountability and equality and the pursuit of happiness that all may pursue,
not just a privileged few. May this be the new tipping point of our future.
*Tipping point is a concept developed by sociologist Morton
Drodzins and later expanded by Tomas Schelling meaning when a group rapidly and
dramatically changes behavior by widely adopting a new practice. Malcom
Gladwell wrote a book in 2000 which mainly deals with economic moments.
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