Reading A Conflict of Visions

I have just finished reading A Conflict of Visions by Thomas Sowell.

While I didn't love the writing style, I think the central premise is brilliant: underlying the politics and ideologies of different people is a specific vision of human nature.

• The Unconstrained Vision: Some believe that humans can truly understand the complexities of how communities work. They argue that "advanced" individuals can mold society for the greater good.

• The Constrained Vision: Others feel that societies are far too complex to be fully understood and that people are primarily driven by their own interests. In this view, trying to reshape society according to our own ideals often ends in disaster. Furthermore, because human beings have conflicting desires, no "ideal" solution can ever be found—only trade-offs and compromises.

While the first group evaluates outcomes and calls for intervention when results aren't "perfect," the second group simply aspires to maintain a social process that produces a "good enough" result.