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The real message of Brexit (IMO)

Started by Berkut, June 26, 2016, 11:37:04 AM

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The Brain

Makes sense to me to have a referendum on huge fundamental issues like being in the EU or not. I would have thought it highly inappropraite if Sweden hadn't had a referendum before we joined the EU.

As for complexity, this Brexit referendum had a very simple question, very easy to understand. The issue was perfect for a yes/no answer. The short term consequences (business as usual with a Remain, huge hit to the economy and huge uncertainties with a Leave) were well known, and whatever Bregret there is seems to be tied to the short term consequences.
Women want me. Men want to be with me.

fromtia

Quote from: The Brain on June 26, 2016, 12:41:14 PM

As for complexity, this Brexit referendum had a very simple question, very easy to understand. The issue was perfect for a yes/no answer. The short term consequences (business as usual with a Remain, huge hit to the economy and huge uncertainties with a Leave) were well known, and whatever Bregret there is seems to be tied to the short term consequences.

The question was simple, but the issue complex. As far as I can tell one of the campaign issues that swung the vote to leave was immigration, along with some other vague appeals to emotion and mythology. Taking back control, Brexiteers suddenly interested in spending on the NHS and so on, all things that they have speedily and determinedly reversed on in the last 72 hours. If you voted Leave to end immigration, you are likely to be quite disappointed. The question wasn't "end immigration?" it was "leave the european union?".

I was in favor of remain, but for some fairly vague ideas of my own to do with federalism and fanciful notions of peace and prosperity.
"Just be nice" - James Dalton, Roadhouse.

The Brain

Quote from: fromtia on June 26, 2016, 12:50:34 PM
Quote from: The Brain on June 26, 2016, 12:41:14 PM

As for complexity, this Brexit referendum had a very simple question, very easy to understand. The issue was perfect for a yes/no answer. The short term consequences (business as usual with a Remain, huge hit to the economy and huge uncertainties with a Leave) were well known, and whatever Bregret there is seems to be tied to the short term consequences.

The question was simple, but the issue complex. As far as I can tell one of the campaign issues that swung the vote to leave was immigration, along with some other vague appeals to emotion and mythology. Taking back control, Brexiteers suddenly interested in spending on the NHS and so on, all things that they have speedily and determinedly reversed on in the last 72 hours. If you voted Leave to end immigration, you are likely to be quite disappointed. The question wasn't "end immigration?" it was "leave the european union?".

I was in favor of remain, but for some fairly vague ideas of my own to do with federalism and fanciful notions of peace and prosperity.

And the question was clearly stated on the ballot. Surely the Remain campaign had months to supply good arguments for staying in the EU.
Women want me. Men want to be with me.

The Minsky Moment

Quote from: The Brain on June 26, 2016, 12:57:10 PM
And the question was clearly stated on the ballot. Surely the Remain campaign had months to supply good arguments for staying in the EU.

That was the mistake they made.  They tried to come up with good arguments instead of good slogans.  "Take control"  blah. blah.
The purpose of studying economics is not to acquire a set of ready-made answers to economic questions, but to learn how to avoid being deceived by economists.
--Joan Robinson

LaCroix

I've been somewhat impressed with north dakota's referenda results the past few years. but these were things like changing the constitution to ban abortion, whether to remove property taxes, allow walmart to have a pharmacy, allow corporate farming, etc. small issues issues for a backwater state

on a national level, the mass public shouldn't decide major political issues. they lack the experience and skill to decide correctly

The Brain

Quote from: The Minsky Moment on June 26, 2016, 01:02:34 PM
Quote from: The Brain on June 26, 2016, 12:57:10 PM
And the question was clearly stated on the ballot. Surely the Remain campaign had months to supply good arguments for staying in the EU.

That was the mistake they made.  They tried to come up with good arguments instead of good slogans.  "Take control"  blah. blah.

I didn't follow the campaigns but I can certainly believe that the Remain campaign was crappy, judging by the magnitude of Bregret.
Women want me. Men want to be with me.

PJL

If people are complaining about the general public's ability to decide referendums then why are they okay with them deciding elections?

fromtia

Quote from: The Brain on June 26, 2016, 12:57:10 PM

And the question was clearly stated on the ballot. Surely the Remain campaign had months to supply good arguments for staying in the EU.

Well that's the point of the discussion I think. Simple question, one would assume we lay out all the facts, examine them and make a decision. I don't think that's what just happened.

Remains campaign was heavy on good arguments and (imo obvs) good arguments, but those were trivial resources compared to the Leave campaigns "Look Immigrants!" and spirited story telling.

"Just be nice" - James Dalton, Roadhouse.

fromtia

Quote from: PJL on June 26, 2016, 01:10:57 PM
If people are complaining about the general public's ability to decide referendums then why are they okay with them deciding elections?

Because they elect professional representatives. Or semi professional ones. Or amateurs. Oh, you know.
"Just be nice" - James Dalton, Roadhouse.

mongers

Quote from: fromtia on June 26, 2016, 01:13:50 PM
Quote from: The Brain on June 26, 2016, 12:57:10 PM

And the question was clearly stated on the ballot. Surely the Remain campaign had months to supply good arguments for staying in the EU.

Well that's the point of the discussion I think. Simple question, one would assume we lay out all the facts, examine them and make a decision. I don't think that's what just happened.

Remains campaign was heavy on good arguments and (imo obvs) good arguments, but those were trivial resources compared to the Leave campaigns "Look Immigrants!" and spirited story telling.

Indeed.

Though Cameron and Osbourne had their fair share of stupidity, like the WW3 is a possibility etc. If they'd not relied on 'project fear' maybe they'd have not gotten so many peoples backs up.

Hell some of the Remain camp could have tried outlining some of the good things the EU is responsible for? :gasp:
"We have it in our power to begin the world over again"

11B4V

"there's a long tradition of insulting people we disagree with here, and I'll be damned if I listen to your entreaties otherwise."-OVB

"Obviously not a Berkut-commanded armored column.  They're not all brewing."- CdM

"We've reached one of our phase lines after the firefight and it smells bad—meaning it's a little bit suspicious... Could be an amb—".

fromtia

Quote from: mongers on June 26, 2016, 01:18:38 PM

Indeed.

Though Cameron and Osbourne had their fair share of stupidity, like the WW3 is a possibility etc. If they'd not relied on 'project fear' maybe they'd have not gotten so many peoples backs up.

Hell some of the Remain camp could have tried outlining some of the good things the EU is responsible for? :gasp:

Agree. Remains ineptitude is cross party mind you. Labours performance on this topic was dismal and the rift between Labour and their traditional supporters on immigration has been a real problem here. I don't recall anyone making a good case for the EU to working people, country folk and duffers. Left them in the capable hands of the parade of horribles who will not now produce what they think they voted for.
"Just be nice" - James Dalton, Roadhouse.


11B4V

"there's a long tradition of insulting people we disagree with here, and I'll be damned if I listen to your entreaties otherwise."-OVB

"Obviously not a Berkut-commanded armored column.  They're not all brewing."- CdM

"We've reached one of our phase lines after the firefight and it smells bad—meaning it's a little bit suspicious... Could be an amb—".

Habbaku

Quote from: garbon on June 26, 2016, 11:38:32 AM
I think you need to start a third Brexit thread of your own to really be effectual. :P

Hey, at least this one doesn't have a Timmay-like error in the thread title.
The medievals were only too right in taking nolo episcopari as the best reason a man could give to others for making him a bishop. Give me a king whose chief interest in life is stamps, railways, or race-horses; and who has the power to sack his Vizier (or whatever you care to call him) if he does not like the cut of his trousers.

Government is an abstract noun meaning the art and process of governing and it should be an offence to write it with a capital G or so as to refer to people.

-J. R. R. Tolkien