When
Morality and Economics Collide (or Not) in a Texas Community
Dennis
Chong and Anna-Maria Marshall
Abstract
In 1993, citizens in conservative Williamson County,
Texas, debated whether to grant tax breaks to attract Apple Computer
Company, even though Apple maintained an unpopular policy of extending
health care benefits to the unmarried domestic partners of employees.
We visited Williamson County to speak with local citizens and the
main participants about how they resolved their dilemma. The analysis
in this paper rests on these interviews, county survey data, and
correspondence sent to politicians during the controversy. We analyze
why some people are more prepared than others to sacrifice material
gain in order to preserve their social and moral values. And we
explore whether actions aimed at preserving a community consensus
around particular moral beliefs and lifestyles can be construed
as rational and, if so, in what sense. We conclude from the Apple
case that the development and maintenance of a value system is imbued
with interests. Cultural values coordinate political coalitions
and social activities, counsel people on how to live their lives,
and constitute a simple folk theory that lends coherence to their
lives and their understanding of how other people live. People do
the best they can within the biases and constraints imposed by their
value system.
Dennis Chong, Department
of Political Science, Northwestern University
Anna-Maria Marshall, Department of Political Science,
Northwestern University
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