Why do we have welfare? (part 2)

[magus341]

One possible reason why welfare only extends to state boarders is that welfare is better constrained by democratic institutions. Foreign welfare is not accountable to any voters and so it is inefficient. Money going to foreign governments that are hostile may be used against the donor country - look at how money going to "nation build" in

Comments

[magus341]

If there were an easy answer, the problem would already be solved. I suppose that's why I skimped so much on answers. I'm sure books upon books could be written about the problems associated with 1. We live in a world where virtue is scarce. Sometimes there is enough to go around, sometimes not. If everyone were a saint there would be no problems. If everyone were a knave, there would be no solutions. I think the best approach is to admit lack of knowledge, try what works and do that more, and if it doesn't work, do it less.

Education is a-whole-nother can of worms. Believe it or not, inner cities often get far more money than the suburbs. I think the problems are institutional. Privatizing schooling would help a lot, I think. There is strong evidence that it does work well in very poor districts. I read a report awhile back that I thought was insightful. Once again, if there were easy answers, the problem would already be solved.

[magus341]

And 3 was a joke. Killing the poor technically solves the poverty problem, but not in a morally acceptable way.