This is what a focus on short-term economics and short term politics brings us to. Governments across the world could have focussed on a more sustainable community-based(?) approach. But that’s too difficult. Instead, they prefer tooting the horns of their economic ‘developments’ that just makes things worse.
Close. WWII America had to invest heavily in farms to feed soldiers who need 4,000 kcal diets to support marching around with heavy packs all day long in potentially cold weather. That investment drove up automation in the farm industry, particularly with corn and soybeans.
War ends, but the infrastructure is all still there. If farms weren’t heavily subsidized, they would collapse. There was real risk of fields going fallow on a mass level, resulting in too little food to feed the population. And then you have to keep subsidizing it, forever. Nobody has figured out a way out of that logic while maintaining a mostly capitalist production system.
This is what a focus on short-term economics and short term politics brings us to. Governments across the world could have focussed on a more sustainable community-based(?) approach. But that’s too difficult. Instead, they prefer tooting the horns of their economic ‘developments’ that just makes things worse.
When and why do you think our time preferences have shortened?
That is a big question. Rectally sourced information here, but I would probably guess it started in the wake of the Dust Bowl.
Close. WWII America had to invest heavily in farms to feed soldiers who need 4,000 kcal diets to support marching around with heavy packs all day long in potentially cold weather. That investment drove up automation in the farm industry, particularly with corn and soybeans.
War ends, but the infrastructure is all still there. If farms weren’t heavily subsidized, they would collapse. There was real risk of fields going fallow on a mass level, resulting in too little food to feed the population. And then you have to keep subsidizing it, forever. Nobody has figured out a way out of that logic while maintaining a mostly capitalist production system.