The Most Dangerous Man That Ever Lived....

Generali

....or Why the Government Sometimes Gets Things Right.

Thomas Midgely Jr probably had as big a negative impact on the environment as any man who ever lived as the inventor of both lead in petrol and Freon (the first CFC).

This led me to thinking today, what are the most effective laws that the British Government has passed since World War II? For the definition I wanted to think about cheapness, low negative impact on the economy and/or on people's enjoyment, lack of limiting freedoms, a generally high level of compliance with the law and a huge positive impact on many lives.

I came up with a list of three: the Clean Air Acts, banning lead in petrol and banning CFCs. Funnily enough they're all environmental laws.

Can anyone think of any better ones?

Funny what you come up with when you're stuck on hold really.

kabayiri

Deregulation and the big bang in the 80s.

It was certainly effective. It's effect is still being felt today.

[+ve or -ve is open to debate]

ILW

Generali wrote: »

....or Why the Government Sometimes Gets Things Right.

Thomas Midgely Jr probably had as big a negative impact on the environment as any man who ever lived as the inventor of both lead in petrol and Freon (the first CFC).

This led me to thinking today, what are the most effective laws that the British Government has passed since World War II? For the definition I wanted to think about cheapness, low negative impact on the economy and/or on people's enjoyment, lack of limiting freedoms, a generally high level of compliance with the law and a huge positive impact on many lives.

I came up with a list of three: the Clean Air Acts, banning lead in petrol and banning CFCs. Funnily enough they're all environmental laws.

Can anyone think of any better ones?

Funny what you come up with when you're stuck on hold really.

They were pretty simple though as there were already cheap and effective alternatives.

princeofpounds

Well it is the circumstance where regulation is likely to be most effective; dealing with economic externalities, because we all know they cannot be dealt with easily through market mechanisms as the cause of the problem does not pay the cost of the problem. I suspect that has a lot to do with it.

Generali

ILW wrote: »

They were pretty simple though as there were already cheap and effective alternatives.

Well I'm too young to remember the Clean Air Acts.

I remember when lead in petrol was banned, owners of classic cars said it would mean they'd be forced off the road yet an acquaintance of mine runs a sports car from 1907 and a couple of trucks from the 1920s.

When CFCs were banned there were warnings about how expensive fridges would be. In the 90s when CFCs were banned I worked in a shop selling fridges and IIRC the cheapest was £130. Now, after 20 years of inflation, Mr Tesco will sell you one for less than a hundred quid, albeit with only enough change to buy a grape or 2.

SailorSam

CFCs; lead in petrol, they all seem to be a good idea at the time, it's always gone on. Look back in history and see the damage that has been done in Countries by importing non-indigenous plants and animals that have spread out of control.

michaels

Of course a free market libertarian might ask such a question because they think the only answers will relate to instances where 'externalities', not correctly priced by the market, have been addressed.

There is no such thing as an innocent question

ILW

I would think the legislation regarding strike ballots bought in by Thatcher would fulfil the criteria of being cheap, effective and in the general good.

PaulF81

Glass-Steagall

Generali

michaels wrote: »

Of course a free market libertarian might ask such a question because they think the only answers will relate to instances where 'externalities', not correctly priced by the market, have been addressed.

There is no such thing as an innocent question

These are examples of externalities being addressed effectively by the Government. There are many more examples of externalities being addressed ineffectively by the Government, the Dangerous Dogs Act being one example.

Generali

PaulF81 wrote: »

Glass-Steagall

Good one. I was thinking about the UK Government but didn't say and I agree it was mostly a good law.

Perhaps compulsory annual testing of gas appliances in rental housing is another good one. Cheap and will have saved many lives