The idea of central planning seems, at first sight, so reasonable that it is hard to see why any intelligent person would oppose it. It appears to be a mere extension of individual planning, which all of us practice. FULL ARTICLE by David Elton Trueblood
Source link: http://archive.mises.org/12423/the-problem-of-central-planning/
The Problem of Central Planning
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Hayek put it very simply: the more the State plans, the less every other member of society can….
…..businesses, communities, indiciduals, churches, individuals are crowded out.
It’s not a matter of “plan vs. not plan” it’s a question of WHO gets to plan. Who gets to decide.
Also individual planning relies mostly on voluntary agreement, whereas central planning inevitably resorts to violent enforcement. (specially once “voluntary” compliance fails, which it almost always does).
Question: If our country were to go to a totally capitalistic system what would prevent protectionist trade wars from attempting to stifle our growth?
The only entity capable of implementing protectionism is an entity with a monopoly on force, which is the state. So, as long as a state exists there is nothing which can stop protectionism, but there is no natural mechanism in a market by which protectionism can come into being.
>as long as a state exists there is nothing which can stop protectionism
Congress shall make no law abridging the right of production and trade.
The problem is that the planners plan for their families and themselves to avoid the consequences of their plans on the rest of us.
So why have planners?
I have to say – this article surprised me. As an evangelical Friend (a brand of Quaker), I was surprised to see Trueblood’s name come through on a Mises Daily. I had never read – or even seen – anything by him where he talked about economics. Definitely a pleasant surprise to come across this book!
I will use my vote to plan the future of Obama and other socialist politicians.
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