The Mote in Paul Krugman’s Eye

Paul Krugman says libertarianism is not a serious political philosophy because politicians are corruptible, do stupid things, et cetera. My colleagues Aaron Powell and David Boaz demonstrate why that’s a bigger problem for Krugman than for libertarians: Krugman’s statism wouldn’t make politicians any less ignorant or corruptible, it would just give those ignorant and corruptible politicians more power.


I made the same point to Krugman during a health care debate. He complained that Republicans complain that government doesn’t work, and then they get elected and prove themselves correct. (It’s a good line, but I think he stole it from P.J. O’Rourke.) I responded, “Unless you have a plan to abolish Republicans, they’re part of your plan. Maybe we can put them in camps?” Krugman seems impervious to the point.