The NeoWhig Manifesto

Our operating principles for the thoughtful inquiry into how humanity can flourish.

NeoWhig is an outlet for the thoughtful inquiry into how humanity can flourish, with a tendency toward liberty-based solutions.

NeoWhig takes its name from an EconTalk interview with writer Jonah Goldberg. When asked if he saw any new political party that would represent the principles that have since been corrupted by much of the Republican and Libertarian establishment, he responded:

Jonah: “I would have no problem joining some other party…. I’ve always called myself a Republican by default. It’s more conservative of the two parties, but I always took more pride in calling myself ‘conservative’. And even now, we’re seeing what it means to be a conservative being twisted around which is why I may have to retreat into ‘classical liberal or something…. I actually prefer ‘Old Whig’, what Hayek and Burke called themselves.

Russ Roberts: “Yeah, too obscure right now. You could try to popularize it.”

Jonah: “A Neo-Whig.”

The “Whig” here is a reference to a long-forgotten political party that was the precursor to the Republicans in the 1800s, a major opposition to the Andrew Jackson Democrats, and ultimately was the party of four US Presidents.

Although I have no affiliation with Mr. Goldberg, and may even disagree with him at times, it is in this spirit that this publication is launched.

Our beliefs below are outlined, although they are up for debate as most things should be:

Seek Perspectives

We operate by the principle that “No One Chooses to Be Stupid”. If you believe someone is wrong, you must provide your own reasoned explanation as to why. That’s not to say there are no stupid people. There are, but they are caused by either biological failing, poor education, or that person is misunderstood. The nature versus nurture causes apply on a case-by-case basis.

Default to Markets

Capitalism is usually better than socialism, communism, and large government solutions. This may not always hold true, but the onus is on the government supporters to prove their approach is superior. Most cases where capitalism is criticized is actually targeted toward “crony capitalism”, which is not the same and a corruption of the concept.

Antifragile Approaches to Problem-Solving

Markets and decentralization work because if a decision goes wrong, the fallout is limited. Big government solutions are typically incorrect because if they fail, everyone is impacted. Solutions should be designed so that society is improved by learning from failure, not devastated into the Dark Ages.

Experimentation Before Compromise

Keys to creating antifragile systems are the ability to experiment with small inputs, failing with limited consequences, and improving based on learning. Forecasting is difficult to do with precision. Compromise between a couple big ideas tend to lead to suboptimal results, whereas new theories can reach the optimum or discover new global maxima. Better to provide fertile ground for ideas to die or grow organically.

Constructive Critique

It must always be kept in mind that the government supporters usually believe they have people’s best interest at heart (acknowledging sociopathic will to power exists on both sides). Their perspectives are valid in that they provide information about the state of humanity’s psychology. If we believe they are incorrect in their prescription for solutions, we must address their concerns through reason and not dismiss them. The word “criticism”, unfortunately, has a negative connotation, so I’ve opted for “critique”.

Doubt, Humility, and Living in the Not Knowing

Mad Men lead Don Draper once described his job (and life) as “living in the not knowing”. I believe these are good words to live by for all of us. 

As the old adage goes, if you think you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room. There is always someone smarter than us in some dimension. It’s this diverse and expansive knowledge of humanity which pushes us forward, so we should approach other’s ideas with an open mind before judging their worth, and remain skeptical of our own.

If we are always in doubt, then our confidence should always be constrained. The emphasis here is on “one’s”. Humanity’s collective knowledge may be inexhaustible, but yours is not. The limits of the individual (no one is perfect at everything) is not to devalue individual potential. Rather, it should be a humbling acknowledgment that other people can help you, in the sense of the classic economic theories Comparative Advantage and Division of Labour.

Value All Lives

This is not to be confused with the “all lives matter” movement of our times which has co-opted the chants of justice fighters. This is to say we are generally on the side supporting the underprivileged. We are against racism, sexism, and all forms of discrimination that are not based on ability, character, and limit individual sovereignty.

In the Long Run, Humanity Can Prosper

Our community members share this belief: as far as we can predict until time’s end, humanity’s future will be better than it is today. Today’s problems can be solved by a combination of our innate ingenuity multiplied by tools we’ve made. As author Matt Ridley wrote, we tend to be “rational optimists”. Yet the march into a bright future is not inexorable; it requires nonstop work. NeoWhig is but one paddle pushing us forward into a brighter future.

Lastly, I choose to write under a pseudonym, in the vain of V, to keep our focus on debating ideas. And I chose Rothbard as a nod to libertarian writer Murray Rothbard. Again, not that I agree with everything he wrote, but I like the way it sounds. Sometimes choices have simple reasons.

Sapere Aude,

Rothbard

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