Many of society’s most consequential and intractable problems fester at the intersection of justice and liberty.
The very words “justice” and “liberty” have become totemic, representing pre-packaged political positions that are seldom examined against any meaningful concept of either justice or liberty. Some of these prepackaged positions have become so closely associated with a side of the political divide that people on the other won’t begin to consider them.
If we reflexively tag every idea as merely showing the odious nature of the proponent’s tribe, and mischaracterize cogent observations or objections in the name of defeating the unworthy “other,” we advance partisanship, but not justice or liberty.
Many of the most pressing issues of justice and liberty in America today involve economic policy, race, religion and the law (and sometimes all of these together). The rapid fire posts on facebook or twitter often fail to illuminate the issues. So I’m trying something slower, often working through the lens of political economy, and trying to focus on actual results in the world.
In particular, the topic of markets often gets short shrift in public policy discussions — they are either the root of all evil and to be eliminated, or the cure to everything and to be worshiped. “Capitalism” and “socialism” get tossed around with abandon. The ensuing conversation doesn’t contribute to a productive policy debate. There will always be markets, as the Soviets, the Chinese, the kibbutzniks and others have all discovered. Our policies will determine what kinds of markets we will have. This blog will explore, in small steps, how markets function, what it means for a market to be “free,” and how market mechanisms can contribute to — or detract from — justice and liberty.
I’ll also digress from time to time to other questions of justice and liberty, as in my first post.
I hope to bring critical thinking, intellectual honesty, rigorous economic and legal analysis, and (I hope) a few thoughtful ideas to bear on topics of justice and liberty. I aspire to be sensible, but not to be a moderate. Sometimes it is necessary to be radically sensible.
About David Jaffe
I was born an economist. When I was ten years old the price of my favorite candy doubled, from a nickel to a dime. I asked my father, “don’t they know that they’d sell more if the price was a nickel?” I eventually studied economics at The University of Chicago, including with luminaries like George Stigler.
I was trained as a lawyer. I stayed at Chicago for law school, and was fortunate to work for Edward Levi (who as Attorney General restored the Justice Department after Watergate) as his research assistant. I served as a law clerk for Chief Judge James Browning of the Ninth Circuit, and for Justice William Rehnquist (who was not yet Chief Justice) at the U.S. Supreme Court.
I have been a law firm partner, general counsel of a multinational manufacturer, solo lawyer, and social entrepreneur. I’ve been engaged in community service my whole life.
My fabulous wife and two equally outstanding adult daughters excel at empathy, love, and making fun of me when appropriate.
I’ve learned a little about what works in the world and about what doesn’t. I care about ideas, try to pursue justice, and love liberty.
David Jaffe, August 2020
© 2020 David B. Jaffe