Statist solutions on Offer
More Wealth and Virtue ,building sustainable economic capital
It is Not At All Clear What Else Is On Offer Other Than More Statist
Solutions to State-Created Problems
O
ur consumerist, materialist society does appear
excessive in comparison to those of western societies, but remember that it emerges from the free
expression of tastes and preferences you and I have
chosen.
Milton Friedman
L- R Maggie Thatcher &
Ronald Reagan, H.E Bai
Koroma and Adam Smith.
Our choices and tastes in Sierra Leone unfortunately
have not reached a point where we have much choice
in the matter. We personally need to come to terms
with this reality, if we’re running around with unlimited wants that can never be fully satisfied.
For the innovators and wealth creators, how do we
get back to a spirit of vitality, innovation, wealth
creation and human flourishing, so that free markets
and free people can truly maximise their potential?
After all, freedom is part of the country’s motto:
“Unity, Freedom, Justice”. Once again the answer to
this rests on our values and institutions.
In my interpretation, part of the institutional answer
is to acquire a much widely accepted concept of economic liberty.
Economic liberty should be viewed and accepted as
just as important as any other natural human right –
the maximum property rights (less taxation) consistent with a small but sensibly sized state.
There’s an even stronger affirmative good and economic message, ‘Integrity Requires Freedom’. More
freedom requires less government intervention. So
the resulting equation can produce more wealth and
virtue, building sustainable economic and social
capital.