Pathological Altruism and Pathological Regulation

[merjet]

Article in Winter 2014 Cato Journal

[SoAMadDeathWish]

Couldn't you make the exact same argument against inefficient de-regulation?

[merjet]

Couldn't you make the exact same argument against inefficient de-regulation?

Yes, but which is way more prevalent -- more regulation or de-regulation?

[SoAMadDeathWish]

Couldn't you make the exact same argument against inefficient de-regulation?

Yes, but which is way more prevalent -- more regulation or de-regulation?

I know, I'm just saying that the whole thing sounds so damn shady. Like, instead of the author presenting a concept that's useful for understanding the world (what exactly does this idea explain that we couldn't explain before?), he's introducing a buzzword for propagandist purposes. Particularly damning is the last line: "Third, by exploring the inefficient justifications for regulation, it may be possible to create politically useful (emphasis mine) counterarguments." Note that it's not rational counterarguments, but politically useful counterarguments. But then there's also the second to last line: "Second, it may enable economists to enlist assistance from other scholars in attacking undesirable legislation." Undesirable to who?

[anthony]

There's always going to be those who get off on the moral righteousness of feeling guilt, and those who get off on being felt guilty about. They need each other, a match made in heaven..