What is Digg?3 Comments
- crazydiode, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2pics plz...
- jeffiek, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1I wonder how many will get it since this was originally written in 1944 and the symbology is taken from current events.
Times have changed. Governments have changed. People haven't. Hayek's observations are still valid.
The road to serfdom no longer needs to lead to a firing squad. Governments evolve just like everything else, and killing the opponents of the state has proven to be a flawed strategy. It's better to follow Orwell's lead and convert them. Either way you lose.
It is no longer necessary to have a "dictator". A leader of a party is sufficient. Absolute control is not necessary. Allow me an example from the business world. What per cent ownership is required to have control of a company? If you answered 51%, then you're still in the past. The correct answer is 5-10% (the remaining 85-90% will split over anything other than a suicide plan) Of course this is not "absolute" control, it is "practical" control. The same is true in government, it takes substantially less than the classical "dictator" to control a government.
Another topic that has been updated is "planned profession". A similar result is obtained with licensing laws. Notice how more and more professions require licenses? Even braiding hair! Individuals are allowed the initial choice of profession, but once chosen they are "locked in". Too much has been invested getting the license to risk losing it because of disagreement with the government.
Take Hayek's underlying thoughts and apply them to today's world. Taking them literally will leave you "fighting the last war". - CaptainNoPants, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1what about salma hayeks road to amazing breasticles?
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