Per Bylund on economic literacy

Economic literacy is mind-opening because it allows us to truly understand how the world works. 

~ Per L. Bylund

 

Per Bylund on the ability of open vs. control societies to handle crises

There are some very disturbing calls for quick-fix "solutions" following the reporting of how countries have and have not handled COVID19. It is not about how contagious or dangerous the virus actually is, which is not my expertise, but the typical and dangerous misunderstanding of the supposed efficiency of hierarchy and, therefore, the effectiveness of control societies, authoritarian rule, and dictatorial regimes.

To put it simply, the claim is that China "handled it right," was able to do something by acting fast and forcefully, and, by implication, that open societies are impotent to threats and fundamentally fragile. But this is exactly wrong. This misconception arises out of a common but fundamental misunderstanding of social organizing (such as society, markets, etc). And, interestingly, it is put forth by people who should definitely know better, including influential investors and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.

~ Per Bylund, "No, Authoritarian Governments Do Not Outperform 'Open Societies' in a Crisis," Mises.org, March 13, 2020

Per Byland on greed

If people's greed is a problem, then what would be a solution?

1. Institute a system of power that greedy people can and will take over
2. Preach that a new, ungreedy man will soon be born
3. Dismantle/decentralize power such that greedy people can only get rich by serving others

~ Per Bylund, Twitter post, November 22, 2019