I agree, APS and govt workers are hardly suffering.

I am lucky as in the government sector as part of a big contractor

Chris Lewis said "Liberalism won't guarantee a better world, but I strongly believe it is our best hope."

Answer- I disagree. There are fundamental issues with Liberalism or rather Locke Liberalism that cause accelerating issues such as the finite world problem, cohesion, over-governing, centralization of power, waste, complexity,...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism#Criticism_and_support

Roman Catholic Church- "One of the most outspoken critics of liberalism was the Roman Catholic Church,[193] which resulted in lengthy power struggles between national governments and the Church."

Conservatives- "In the same vein, conservatives have also attacked what they perceive to be the reckless liberal pursuit of progress and material gains, arguing that such preoccupations undermine traditional social values rooted in community and continuity.[194]

Liberal Conservatives (Economic Liberals/ Free Traders)- However, a few variations of conservatism, like liberal conservatism, expound some of the same ideas and principles championed by classical liberalism, including "small government and thriving capitalism"."

Social democracy- "an ideology advocating progressive modification of capitalism, emerged in the 20th century and was influenced by socialism."

Christian democracy- "Another movement associated with modern democracy, Christian democracy, hopes to spread Catholic social ideas and has gained a large following in some European nations.[197] The early roots of Christian democracy developed as a reaction against the industrialisation and urbanisation associated with laissez-faire liberalism in the 19th century.[198] "

Scholars- "Despite these complex relationships, some scholars have argued that liberalism actually "rejects ideological thinking" altogether, largely because such thinking could lead to unrealistic expectations for human society.[199]"

Fascists- "accuse liberalism of materialism and a lack of spiritual values.[200] In particular, fascism opposes liberalism for its materialism, rationalism, individualism and utilitarianism.[201] Fascists believe that the liberal emphasis on individual freedom produces national divisiveness,[200] but many fascists agree with liberals in their support of private property rights and a market economy."

Scholars- "have praised the influence of liberal internationalism, claiming that the rise of globalisation "constitutes a triumph of the liberal vision that first appeared in the eighteenth century" while also writing that liberalism is "the only comprehensive and hopeful vision of world affairs".[202]"

President Putin- "According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as reported in the Financial Times, "liberalism has become obsolete". He claims that the vast majority of people in the world oppose multiculturalism, immigration, and rights for people who are LGBT."

http://lawaspect.com/weakness-of-liberalism/

http://www.e-ir.info/2018/12/11/out-of-illusion-weakness-liberalism-and-its-blind-spots/

It seems that "Scholars" have a lot to say and appear to disregard the concerns of other stakeholders perhaps arrogantly assuming that they have a monopoly on the truth and perhaps for the reasons that the reason they believe in Locke Liberalism is because they perceive it benefits their self interest.

CM, so what do you think is our best hope?

so what do you think is our best hope?
Chris Lewis,
Are you asking Canem Malum re the best hope for Academics or society in general ?
In my opinion, if Academia concentrated on sincerity & integrity, it'd have no problems at all to gain the admiration they so desperately seek !
Ordinary people respect true scholars & professionals & they do recognise them when they see one.
It's the half-baked BA flashers who give the good ones a bad reputation. I just hope the good ones work on a system to distance themselves from the Govt funding bludgers !

Chris Lewis said-
"CM, so what do you think is our best hope?"

Answer-

Good question.

I don't have all the answers.

The biggest problem is there are too many people- this needs to be changed- especially in certain irresponsible countries.

But for me the best solution in a (few) word is Traditionalism/ Parochialism/ Familialism. It's a system that has lasted for perhaps millions of years through the stone ages.

The reasons for these conclusions is based on the work of Desmond Morris- The Human Zoo, Confucist/ Japanese/ Western scholars and history, Plato- Republic, Aristotle- Politics, Patrick Deneen, John Locke, Gibbon, Roman/ Catholic philosophy, the science of complexity, computer programming, group behavior in animals, economics, business theory, many many others.

A summary of some of the ideas...

Desmond Morris- The Human Zoo- says that humanity has gone from a tribe to a super-tribe and this doesn't work.

Confucism/ Platonism- the family is the essential autonomous atom of the hierarchy of society.

Xunzi/ Aristotle- say that mankind needs to be taught virtue. Virtue needs to be built into society for stability.

Plato's Republic- Describes creating civilizations from green fields. And the requirements for stability.

Roman/ Catholic- Early federal systems/ autonomous rule.

Patrick Deneen/ Alexis de Tocqueville.

There needs to be an enforced balance between self sufficiency (self power) and cooperation (group power). Most of the power should be held at the bottom of the pyramid.

Essentially extended family groups occupy positions within the pyramid of power- stable successful virtuous groups improve their position in society in each generation of service.

A family that has land and is wise in it's use, protects it's land, help's and trades with it's neighbour's within reason, doesn't interfere with others, lives close to people like themselves, doesn't need constant validation- doesn't really need much government.

My answer is Traditionalism/ Parochialism/ Familialism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familialism