Mitt Romney is living every social scientist's nightmare

[MindMover]

This is, far and away, my worst nightmare.

I bring this up because yesterday in the National Review, Mitt Romney doubled down on his "culture comments" he made in Israel:

During my recent trip to Israel, I had suggested that the choices a society makes about its culture play a role in creating prosperity, and that the significant disparity between Israeli and Palestinian living standards was powerfully influenced by it. In some quarters, that comment became the subject of controversy.

But what exactly accounts for prosperity if not culture? In the case of the United States, it is a particular kind of culture that has made us the greatest economic power in the history of the earth. Many significant features come to mind: our work ethic, our appreciation for education, our willingness to take risks, our commitment to honor and oath, our family orientation, our devotion to a purpose greater than ourselves, our patriotism. But one feature of our culture that propels the American economy stands out above all others: freedom. The American economy is fueled by freedom. Free people and their free enterprises are what drive our economic vitality.

http://drezner.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/08/02/mitt_romney_is_living_every_social_scientists_nightmare

[The Magistrate]

1. Putting Mr. Diamond And Messers. Acemoglu and Robinson Into Agreement, Sir, Is A Real Accomplishment

[MindMover]

2. ++++++++++++ ... right on