When the government proposes to fix our economic woes by intervening in credit markets, A little perspective on what is not seen is in order from Frederic Bastiat, who wrote the the essay What Is Seen and What Is Not Seen over 150 yeas ago. A few choice paragraphs follow:
However, the credit organizations would have to do just this in order for the end of the social reformers to be attained, since these gentlemen aspire to nothing less than to give plows, houses, tools, provisions, and raw materials to everyone who wants them.
And how do they imagine they will do this?
By giving to loans the guarantee of the state.
Let us go more deeply into the matter, for there is something here that is seen and something that is not seen. Let us try to see both.
Suppose that there is only one plow in the world and that two farmers want it.
Peter is the owner of the only plow available in France. John and James wish to borrow it. John, with his honesty, his property, and his good name, offers guarantees. One believes in him; he has credit. James does not inspire confidence or at any rate seems less reliable. Naturally, Peter lends his plow to John.
But now, under socialist inspiration, the state intervenes and says to Peter: “Lend your plow to James. We will guarantee you reimbursement, and this guarantee is worth more than John’s, for he is the only one responsible for himself, and we, though it is true we have nothing, dispose of the wealth of all the taxpayers; if necessary, we will pay back the principal and the interest with their money.”
So Peter lends his plow to James; this is what is seen.
And the socialists congratulate themselves, saying, “See how our plan has succeeded. Thanks to the intervention of the state, poor James has a plow. He no longer has to spade by hand; he is on the way to making his fortune. It is a benefit for him and a profit for the nation as a whole.”
Oh no, gentlemen, it is not a profit for the nation, for here is what is not seen.
It is not seen that the plow goes to James because it did not go to John.
It is not seen that if James pushes a plow instead of spading, John will be reduced to spading instead of plowing.
Consequently, what one would like to think of as an additional loan is only the reallocation of a loan.
Furthermore, it is not seen that this reallocation involves two profound injustices: injustice to John, who, after having merited and won credit by his honesty and his energy, sees himself deprived; injustice to the taxpayers, obligated to pay a debt that does not concern them.
(Bold type added for emphasis)
Continue reading
