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Why Does the Munger Test Replace the Word State With Donald Trump? · EconTalk

EconTalk

Public Choice and Politics Without Romance (with Mike Munger)

Before you give the government new powers, try the Munger Test: cross out "government" and insert the name of the politician you trust least. Then see if you still like the idea. In his 52nd EconTalk appearance, Mike Munger talks with host Russ Roberts about public choice, politics without romance, and why treating government like a loving family (or your…

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Notes

  1. Why Does Liberalism Require Tolerance and Humility? at 3:18

    Liberalism requires that people forbear from acting as if they know they are correct. Full answer

  2. Why Does the Munger Test Replace the Word State With Donald Trump? at 21:32

    The Munger test shows how support for having the state decide what people can say on the internet disappears when Donald Trump replaces the word state because… Full answer

  3. Why Does Government Action Fail to Represent the Will of the People? at 25:48

    Government action is the outcome of a complex set of institutions and norms along with the incentives that the individuals inside face. Full answer

  4. Why Does Politics as Exchange Fail to Scale Beyond Small Groups? at 32:07

    Politics as exchange succeeds in small groups because participants like each other and share information about preferences and allergies while possessing… Full answer

  5. Why Does Methodological Individualism Assume the Locus of Choice Is the Individual? at 33:53

    Methodological individualism assumes the locus of choice and the locus of enjoyment or disappointment is the individual. Full answer

  6. Why Does Public Choice Differ From the Street View of Politics? at 54:28

    Public choice and the street view of politics clash because the street view of politics tends to assume that people will rise above the incentives. Full answer

  7. Why Does a United States Senator Fail to Do the Right Thing? at 57:10

    Competition disciplines corporations but re election disciplines US senators. Full answer

  8. Why Do Florida and South Dakota Keep Foreign Sugar Out? at 1:01:37

    Senators from Florida and South Dakota support sugar import restrictions because sugar cane and sugar beets grow in Florida and South Dakota. Full answer

  9. Why Has Congress Passed So Few Laws? at 1:03:55

    The United States Congress has passed very little legislation in the last close to 10 years because the incentives that now face the United States Senate and… Full answer

  10. Why Does Liberalism Require Wielding Persuasion Instead of Power? at 1:17:28

    Liberalism is a constrained vision. Full answer

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