But, you may object, what’s wrong with self-interest? Aren’t all parties to political debate moved by some sort of self-interest? In fact, isn’t the point of our political process to make a decision that somehow balances these conflicting interests? Actually, no. Many participants in policy debates hold strong convictions, independent or even opposed to their self-interest. Liberals support higher taxes for themselves, conservatives reject government programs that would assist them, those advantaged by racial and gender discrimination vote to end it. Our democracy depends on our willingness to support decisions we see as right even if they work to our disadvantage.
