Economics blog - Why protectionism did not cause the Great Depression

Sir_Humphrey

Generali wrote: »

You brought up military action as the way forward and so I say again, how many dead from each side do you deem acceptable to impose UK tax law on other countries? Also, do you think it would be reasonable for the Chinese (for example) to invade the UK to impose their tax law?

I'm not having a hissy fit. I'm just interested in the logical conclusion of your argument.

You have answered none of the questions I posed to you.

Generali

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

You have answered none of the questions I posed to you.

I haven't answered the questions because I didn't raise those points and I see no reason for you to dictate the direction of the conversation.

You raised the point that military intervention was a suitable response to countries that have tax laws you don't like. I ask you to clarify:

- How many residents of tax havens would you consider acceptable to be killed?
- How many British soldiers would you consider acceptable to be killed?
- Should other countries have the right to invade the UK because they disagree with the UK's tax laws?

I think you don't want to answer because you posted something that was pretty silly and don't want to admit it.

If you won't clarify would you explain why you won't?

Sir_Humphrey

Only an economist would ask to do a mathematical calculus of human life.
It is a damn silly question unless you are pacifist, so that is why I refuse to answer it.

Generali

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

Only an economist would ask to do a mathematical calculus of human life.
It is a damn silly question unless you are pacifist, so that is why I refuse to answer it.

Ok, let's ask the question in another way:

Why is it acceptable for any country to have their democratically elected Government deposed by another country's army so that they can impose their tax laws?

No pacifism there.

Sir_Humphrey

Here is another question. If money taken from the UK Exchequer cannot be spent on road safety, the NHS etc, how many lives do tax havens cost?

Generali

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

Here is another question. If money taken from the UK Exchequer cannot be spent on road safety, the NHS etc, how many lives do tax havens cost?

You keep trying to muddy the waters whilst avoiding the very silly idea you brought up.

Should China or the US (for example) be able to invade the UK to force a change in her tax laws?
Should the UK be able to depose a democratically elected Government to enforce her tax laws on another country?

Sir_Humphrey

Generali wrote: »

Ok, let's ask the question in another way:

Is it acceptable for any country to have their democratically elected Government deposed by another country's army so that they can impose their tax laws?

No pacifism there.

Actually, it would be more acceptable in that situation. In a democracy, the citizens choose the government, so hold greater responibility for the actions of the government. This would not be the case in a dictatorship.

Generali

Sir_Humphrey wrote: »

Actually, it would be more acceptable in that situation. In a democracy, the citizens choose the government, so hold greater responibility for the actions of the government. This would not be the case in a dictatorship.

Sorry old bean, I don't understand your answer. My mistake I'm sure.

Are you saying it's more acceptable for a democratic tax haven or a non-democratic tax haven to be invaded?

Sir_Humphrey

Generali wrote: »

Sorry old bean, I don't understand your answer. My mistake I'm sure.

Are you saying it's more acceptable for a democratic tax haven or a non-democratic tax haven to be invaded?

I am not arguing about invading any country. I made perfectly clear that sanctions would do the trick.

I think you may have misunderstood my point. The point is if a populace support a regime (which would be the case in a democracy), then it is less unjust for them to suffer the consequences of the behaviour of that state than if they do not. To illustrate the point with an analogy: You remove a Communist government which involves killing people. Would be it more just to kill dissidents or party loyalists in doing so?

Wookster

Generali wrote: »

Typical Socialism.

Humphrey, is there a single socialist country that has actually worked??