Thanks for your comment.
I have updated away of considering technocracy vs populism to be a crucial consideration based on arguments that EAs using expertise to influence policymakers are mostly replacing other expert opinion and not public opinion.
I think the best example of EA activity coming into conflict with public opinion would be the campaign against the decrease in the UK’s foreign aid budget.
And here’s a public poll on this question, where 66% supported the decrease.
To clarify, I’m not criticising the campaign, I’m quite strongly in favour of more technocratic decision-making and of more foreign aid.
Thanks for your comment.
I have updated away of considering technocracy vs populism to be a crucial consideration based on arguments that EAs using expertise to influence policymakers are mostly replacing other expert opinion and not public opinion.
I think the best example of EA activity coming into conflict with public opinion would be the campaign against the decrease in the UK’s foreign aid budget.
And here’s a public poll on this question, where 66% supported the decrease.
To clarify, I’m not criticising the campaign, I’m quite strongly in favour of more technocratic decision-making and of more foreign aid.