Who serves society best?

[ribozyme]

From the Mises Quiz…

A Legislators and policy experts, along with consultation from a variety of advisory groups, have the public interest in mind when they formulate and execute policies. They are willing and capable of improving the welfare of society. Entrepreneurs pursue profit, and care little for overall public welfare. They serve the public interest only insofar as they earn a profit in the process. Given numerous and severe defects in the way markets work, informed civic leaders officials need to work to improve public welfare—a viable project provided that we limit the influence of business interests in politics.

B Entrepreneurs play an indispensable role in society. Entrepreneurs are alert to profit opportunities and make judgments concerning the future. Competition concerning these opportunities results in profit and loss statements that generate prices for labor and capital. This competition directs resources to the satisfaction of the most urgent consumer wants. Successful politicians are those who are the best at retaining and wielding political power. These are typically the most ruthless people in our society.

C Capitalism serves entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs serve themselves. The capitalist system is predicated on the exploitation of consumers and workers. The only solution to these problems is to do away with capitalism, and with it the capitalist class of entrepreneurs. A truly democratic or socialist society will end exploitative tendencies. People will no longer pursue private profit because private profits will no longer exist. People will have better motives and be more publicly spirited under socialism. The leaders, if there are any, in the future socialist society will promote the common good.

D Politicians pursue their own interests, but political competition and the public-policy process leads them to serve the public to some extent. Entrepreneurs also serve the public to some extent, because they earn a profit by serving customers. The question as to whether civic leaders or entrepreneurs serve the public best is an open one. This depends upon particular circumstances of time and place. The democratic society has shown itself capable to sorting out questions of social management over time.

mises.org/quiz.asp?QuizID=4

I picked A.

 

[Hastrman]

There’s no E: “those who send A, B, and D to the guillotine, abolish C, and establish a republic founded on liberty, brotherhood, and an equal law, their economics based on widespread individual ownership of property, whether in land or industrial capital.”

 

[Newbie2]

One cannot separate A and D.

 

[vern_humphrey]

There seems to be an unspoken assumption that “Legislators and policy experts” and “Entrepreneurs” are different species.

In fact, there are crass and greedy men in all groups. But by and large, when people seek their individual good – entrepreneuers running businesses for profit, consumers shopping for bargains, legislators looking for votes, voters looking for what benefits them – the result is pretty close to the common good.

 

[Meathead]

I say B.

Let the businessmen make their money, pay their taxes, and leave me the hell alone.

 

[Al_Masetti]

All of the above, working together independently.

Let all the points of view be discussed in a free and open market place of ideas.

Just don’t force me to buy a pair of shoes from a politician or a policy expert! ‘Cause they don’t know nuthin’ about making or selling shoes.

And don’t let a shoe salesman make decisions about whether or not to upgrade the C-5A into the C-5M.

Etc, etc, etc.

This question is a little like asking which tool is best?: saw, hammer, wrench, chisel? And what about sandpaper?

Which part of the body is best?: arm, hand, leg, head, ear?

They are all important … and there are many more tools and many more body parts. All are important.

Who would you want to make a decision on your shoes [and suppose you need custom made shoes because you have an extra toe]? Or who would you trust to pick out your tools for you?

Who do you want to decide for YOU what liquid fuel you should use? [oil, gasoline, diesel, ethanol, methanol, LPG, ??? or should you convert to burning coal? Or switch completely to electric? ]

In my opinion, YOU are the one who should make those decisions for yourself.

Not someone disconnected from you, like A, B, C or D.