quarta-feira, março 31, 2004

Infra-estrutura básica?

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TCS: Tech Central Station - Ideology Is Infrastructure

Trecho: The priority of this deeper infrastructure is obscured by mainstream economic theory. Economic theory often takes for granted that which is most difficult to achieve. Most economists begin their analysis by assuming a market where property rights are clearly delineated, contracts are unfailingly enforced, and information is immediately available to all market participants. Similarly, they assume a state that can efficiently implement a system of public finance and provide "public goods" when the market "fails."



When we begin with a framework of well-functioning markets and a well-functioning state, it is easy to become distracted by arguments framed by our idealized assumptions. Economists and political theorists have worked themselves into carpal tunnel arguing whether public goods -- national defense, law enforcement, transportation systems, vaccinations, and so forth -- can be provided by voluntary contractual mechanisms on a free market or require state coercion to solve the problems of coordination inherent in providing these goods. However the entire debate over public goods simply assumes a deeper order of public goods -- goods that are a pre-condition for well-functioning markets and states.