Brother, Can You Paradigm, or Spare a Signature?
Janet Bufton recently shared her thoughts on the importance of democratic persuasion in bringing about lasting change. She emphasized the need to engage in the political process to effect positive transformations, despite the challenges posed by public choice theory. Bufton’s insights prompt reflection on personal experiences within the political system, both in preventing negative changes and advocating for positive ones.
One such experience dates back to the summer of 1973 when I was a summer intern at President Nixon’s Council of Economic Advisers. As a Canadian on an F-1 visa, I felt compelled to take action on an issue close to my heart: ending the U.S. postal monopoly. To garner support for this cause, I reached out to renowned economist Milton Friedman, who graciously signed a statement endorsing the idea.
However, not everyone shared my enthusiasm for challenging the status quo. One individual, Thomas Ireland, a young economics professor at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, declined to sign the statement. Despite agreeing with the goal of ending the postal monopoly, Ireland cited the influence of the concentrated interest group of postal workers versus the dispersed interests of consumers as a barrier to change. This argument, rooted in public choice theory, posits that concentrated interests often prevail over dispersed ones in policy outcomes.
What struck me as perplexing was Ireland’s steadfast adherence to the public choice paradigm. While it took him mere minutes to explain the theory behind his decision, he hesitated to spend a second signing a statement in support of a cause he believed in. This episode underscored the complexities of navigating political dynamics and the influence of entrenched interests on decision-making processes.
Reflecting on Bufton’s insights and my encounter with Ireland, it becomes evident that the path to lasting change is fraught with challenges and requires a nuanced understanding of political dynamics. By engaging in democratic persuasion and advocating for principles we believe in, we can contribute to a more equitable and just society.
