Wednesday, 11 Jun 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • đŸ”„
  • Trump
  • House
  • VIDEO
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Colossal
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Economy > How Liberty Upsets Patterns – Econlib
Economy

How Liberty Upsets Patterns – Econlib

Last updated: April 9, 2025 4:43 pm
Share
How Liberty Upsets Patterns – Econlib
SHARE

Applied to Protectionism

Today on his CafeHayek blog, Don Boudreaux shared a thought-provoking quote from William Graham Sumner’s book, Protectionism: The ‘Ism Which Teaches that Waste Makes Wealth. You can access the book for free on Liberty Fund’s site here.

Here’s the insightful quote:

If it were possible to create a legislative scheme that perfectly embodied protectionist ideals for this country today, how long would it remain effective? Not even a week. With a population of 55 million spread across 3.5 million square miles, every day brings new communication channels, discoveries, inventions, and processes. The industrial landscape is in a state of perpetual evolution. If a precise system of protective taxes was achievable at any moment, how could Congress possibly keep pace with the ongoing changes and necessary adjustments? The idea is absurd and fundamentally flawed.

This line of thinking reminds me of a section in Robert Nozick’s Anarchy, State, and Utopia, titled “How Liberty Upsets Patterns.” Nozick argues that if distributionists successfully imposed their vision of ideal distribution—based on their own standards—it wouldn’t last long. People would begin spending on experiences, like attending a Wilt Chamberlain basketball game. As a result, Chamberlain would accumulate wealth, disrupting the initial distribution, while some attendees would end up with less than their original shares.

In essence, liberty disrupts established patterns.

Now, let’s consider a hypothetical scenario where Trump achieves his desired trade balance with every nation. (This is a grand assumption, given that Trump seems to aim for a zero trade balance with each country, which could either deter foreign investment in the U.S. or trigger an increase in American investments abroad. But let’s entertain this notion.)

See also  Goods, Services, and Tariffs - Econlib

Imagine a U.S. citizen opts to purchase more clothing from Vietnam. As they don these outfits, others take notice and also wish to buy them. Within months, our trade balance with Vietnam could tilt negative; we’re importing more than we’re exporting.

While this situation may not seem problematic, it poses a dilemma for proponents of rigid trade arrangements like Donald Trump.

Liberty disrupts patterns, including trade balances.

TAGGED:EconlibLibertypatternsUpsets
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Codelco aims for upper end of copper output range, plans return to bond market, CEO says Codelco aims for upper end of copper output range, plans return to bond market, CEO says
Next Article Maniac stabs stranger in the head repeatedly on NYC street for measly : sources Maniac stabs stranger in the head repeatedly on NYC street for measly $10: sources
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

US throws out policies limiting arrests of migrants at sensitive locations like schools, churches

By REBECCA SANTANA WASHINGTON (AP) — Immigration law enforcement officers will now have the authority…

January 21, 2025

Stripe unveils AI foundation model for payments, reveals ‘deeper partnership’ with Nvidia

Fintech Giant Stripe Unveils Groundbreaking New Products at Stripe Sessions Event At its annual Stripe…

May 7, 2025

How to play Sonic Tapes Barry’s Prison Run

Sonic Tapes Barry's Prison Run is a thrilling Roblox adventure game that puts players in…

October 15, 2024

Daily exposure to intense cold can improve sleep quality

Daily full-body cryostimulation—exposure to extreme cold—has been found to improve sleep quality and mood in…

November 13, 2024

“The Police Just Said We’re All Under Arrest!” – LAPD Kettles Large Group of Anti-ICE Protestors in Downtown Los Angeles – Takes Them Away in Shuttle Bus (VIDEO) |

Los Angeles Riots Enter Fourth Night as Law Enforcement Prepares for Mass Arrests On Monday…

June 9, 2025

You Might Also Like

publicly traded companies buying bunches of bitcoin
Economy

publicly traded companies buying bunches of bitcoin

June 11, 2025
Elon Musk says he ‘regrets some’ of his attacks on Donald Trump
Economy

Elon Musk says he ‘regrets some’ of his attacks on Donald Trump

June 11, 2025
Was Jim Cramer Right About Meta Platforms, Inc. (META)?
Economy

Was Jim Cramer Right About Meta Platforms, Inc. (META)?

June 10, 2025
Scania in talks to form consortium to buy Northvolt’s R&D lab
Economy

Scania in talks to form consortium to buy Northvolt’s R&D lab

June 10, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?