Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Ask... what... to your country?

Nationalists often quote this JFK's famous phrase, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."

But libertarians consider this quote as immoral, even fascistic, on the basis that the country (or state or government) should not tell what free individuals should do. Read Milton Friedman's opening remarks in 'Capitalism and Freedom.' Another Friedman, Milton's son David, went further in his 'Guide to Radical Capitalism' by declaring, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what it can't." The basis of his statement is of course the concept of negative freedom.

Proponents of welfare state also disagree on the "Ask not what your country can do" part. Instead, they would say, "Ask what you country must do," on the basis that the country (state or government) has certain inherent obligations to its citizens. (Ironically, in the US political tradition, they are the ones called 'liberals').

For development and institutional economists, the correct question will be "Ask what your country should do, and make sure it does it correctly; and ask what your country should not do, not on the basis of ideology but on the basis of efficiency and opportunity cost principles."

Economic philosophy

1 comment:

  1. "Ask what your country should do, and make sure it does it correctly; and ask what your country should not do, not on the basis of ideology but on the basis of efficiency and opportunity cost principles."

    Hmm, who decide what is correct, efficient and according opportunity cost principle?

    Some people argue that elected politician should free to act as the electorate opinion chooose. Some others said that electoral sometime short sighted and will under invest, thus need economists/technocratic supervision.

    But who will watch the economists?

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