22 Apr Classical Liberalism and the post-Washington Consensus vs. my soul

This is being reposted from 29 December 2010 – i pulled it down on the off-chance that the funders might do a search on me. It didn’t matter – i still didn’t get the money. That’s “no” number 6.

I came across a funding opportunity a few months back for a decidedly pro-classical liberalism program. Although the money isn’t great (i’d be required to enroll for three quarters, meaning that after enrollment fees, i’d only have enough money for one month of research), but it’s still something. I’m realizing that i need somewhere in the vicinity of $40,000 to do my research for nine months (i’d rather do a full year), and no one offers that much money – not for the kind of work i’m doing. Or maybe they do, and i just haven’t found it.

I thought i could do it. In fact, i have started the application. I’ve taken the application materials right up to, but not over the line, of the post-Washington Consensus treatment of development. I’m rather pleased with my ability to do it, in fact. But as i finished up the first leg of the application, i was struck by a deep pang of regret and guilt. Can i really sell my soul for one month of research? Worse, can i actually ask my (so-not-classical-liberalist) chairs to write me letters of recommendation? Even worse – do any of us want our names attached to this fellowship?

I’ll say, it’s a step above the Boren Awards for International Study, at least. Talk about selling your soul… But what is our ethical ceiling? What should be our ethical ceiling?

I sent a frantic email to my chairs today, begging for a meeting. I didn’t email them about it directly – i wasn’t sure how open to be. This is one of those massive ethical dilemmas that doesn’t seem to be a dilemma till you’re in the midst of it. And maybe it’s not as difficult a moment as i’m making it out to be. Refusing to apply for the Boren was a no-brainer – i’m not going to work for Homeland Security – period. Punto. But bending my philosophical framing for a few thousand dollars? How far should or can we bend before the proverbial bough breaks?

It did occur to me that it may well be worth the delicious irony of using free-market funds to undermine the very ideology. But i’m just not that kind of person.

Well – darn my moral compunctions.