The Best Intentions

Arnold Kling contrasts some consequences.

Here are some more comparisons to consider:

1. The total death and illness caused by all of the chemical pollution ever created vs. the death and illness caused by the ban on DDT.

2. The GDP lost due to consumption of illegal drugs vs. the GDP lost due to the drug war.

3. The deprivation and suffering caused by predatory lending and other subprime mortgage shenanigans vs. that caused by biofuel mandates.

I think that as the world gets more complex and interdependent, we will see government activism cause ever-greater harm, because the unintended consequences become harder to predict, or even to trace when they do occur.

I came to DC to learn about good public policy, but my views increasingly favor the government sitting on its hands. Admittedly, my philosphical tendencies are strongly individualistic and rationalistic. But under any ethical paradigm there is no denying that people in power can produce pretty nasty outcomes. Even (especially) if that power appears benign. Despite what people might think Chevron, Microsoft, and Walmart are essentially powerless.

Update: Exhibit B