Aretae: Benevolent Autocrat Theory

Monday, July 25, 2011

William Easterly does the analysis, finds a myth. HT: McArdle.

Alrenous said...: I found an exception to the 'do nothing' rule.

A wise dictator, especially economically, generally does nothing.

However, once meddling idiots have been at the system, doing nothing is no longer the best option. Even doing the minimum isn't a good idea.

For example, it would have been better if welfare had never been implemented. However, now it has been, simply ending it shouldn't be on the table - a bunch of families have had more kids than they can afford without welfare. Without welfare, best case all those kids become street urchins; worst case they starve to death.

To get from here to a better situation without potential mass death requires a deft touch and a complex strategy.

Logically, dictatorship is the same as a smoking habit. If you listen to your body, you can't get addicted. However, if you don't listen, you have to again not listen to cure yourself.; July 26, 2011 at 9:43 AM

Aretae