Friday, 31 Oct 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
  • VIDEO
  • House
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
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  Pandemic Patterns Explored in “The Fire This Time”

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

Ear Cuffs Earrings Are 2025’s Hottest Jewelry Trend–No Debate

These edgy accessories are not just a passing fad; they have become a staple in…

May 21, 2025

Barack Obama’s Lover Tells How She Bedded Ex-President On Second Date

Former Lover of Barack Obama Makes Shocking Revelations In a recent interview conducted in 2021,…

March 7, 2025

Denver restaurant real estate sells to local investor for $3M

The Hornet Acquires New Landlord for Building on Broadway The popular bar and grill, The…

May 21, 2025

Princess Diana’s Secret Connection With Prince Philip Revealed

Princess Diana's Secret Love Affair with Prince Philip Revealed: She Saw Him as a Father…

September 19, 2025

Anthropic’s Claude AI became a terrible business owner in experiment that got ‘weird’

Claudius: The AI Middle-Manager Can AI agents truly replace human workers? This question was put…

June 29, 2025

You Might Also Like

BTIG Remains Positive on NextEra Energy (NEE), Highlighting its “Premier Generation Development Platform”
Economy

BTIG Remains Positive on NextEra Energy (NEE), Highlighting its “Premier Generation Development Platform”

October 31, 2025
3 Must-Buy Stocks Fueling the Data Center Surge
Economy

3 Must-Buy Stocks Fueling the Data Center Surge

October 31, 2025
Shake Shack returns to profit in Q3 2025
Economy

Shake Shack returns to profit in Q3 2025

October 31, 2025
Fresnillo signs agreement to acquire Probe Gold for 8m
Economy

Fresnillo signs agreement to acquire Probe Gold for $558m

October 31, 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?