Krugman: Taken together, libertarianism plus anti-intellectualism equals toxic mix

Paul Krugman on the Surprising Reason Limiting Carbon Emissions Makes Conservatives so Angry

Why, in the face of devastating consequences that are already upon us, is it so hard to take action to curb man-made global warming?

The venerable economist considers the usual suspects, and pretty much discounts them. Instituting emission controls will cause minimal economic harm. Even the anti-science U.S. Chamber of Commerce, try as they might, only found modest costs to carbon reductions. Is it the power of vested interests? he wonders.

Having dispensed with some of the usual suspects, Krugman wonders if the ideology of Ayn Rand libertarianism that is so popular amongst conservative politicians, policy makers and commenters could be at the core of the anger over environmental regulation.

Then there is anti-intellectualism strain that runs through American life—especially (but not exclusively?) on the right—the tendency to believe in conspiracy theories, like the one about how all the world's scientists are in on the gigantic climate hoax, Krugman points out. Taken together, libertarianism plus anti-intellectualism equals toxic mix, or as Krugman concludes.

So the real obstacle, as we try to confront global warming, is economic ideology reinforced by hostility to science. In some ways this makes the task easier: we do not, in fact, have to force people to accept large monetary losses. But we do have to overcome pride and willful ignorance, which is hard indeed.

http://www.alternet.org/economy/paul-krugman-surprising-reason-limiting-carbon-emissions-makes-conservatives-so-angry