Duke Professor: Libertarians ‘Seem to Be on the Autism Spectrum’

[Valin]

National Review

Nancy McClean should be ashamed.

Katherine Timpf

February 14, 2018

A history professor at Duke University stated that many of the architects of small-government philosophy seemed “to be on the autism spectrum.”

Nancy MacLean, author of Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America, made the comments during the Q&A portion of her February 7 speech at New York City Unitarian Church of All Souls.

The question:

“Where do [Public Choice Theory economist James Buchanan's] motivations lie? Are they ones of personal greed? It seems like it’s a little grander, is it malevolence?”

MacLean, who has also written a biography of Buchanan, responded:

“As an author, I have struggled with this, and I could explain it in different ways. I didn’t put this in the book, but I will say it here,” she answered. “It’s striking to me how many of the architects of this cause seem to be on the autism spectrum—you know, people who don’t feel solidarity or empathy with others, and who have difficult human relationships sometimes.”

In other words: She managed to give an answer that was incredibly offensive not only to libertarians, but also to people with autism. Let me be clear: Having autism does not mean that you do not have empathy for other people, and it’s outrageously inappropriate for McClean to have made such ignorant and insensitive comments about something she clearly knows nothing about.

 

(Snip)

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Translation: Libertarians are now part of the basket of deplorables. Congratulations!...bring donuts to the next meeting