Skip to content

The End of Director’s Law?

August 10, 2010

Many have long believed that big government helps the poor at the expense of the wealthy. But back in the glory days of economics at the University of Chicago Aaron Director noticed a recurring theme in the way democracies cut the pie. Given the power to tax and redistribute, you might expect those on the bottom (plus one to gain a majority) would form a coalition to snatch away the wealth of the top 49 percent. But this doesn’t happen. Director teased out why: forming a winning coalition requires intelligence, effort, organization, endurance, resources, indignation…capabilities the poor simply do not have. This is part of the reason why they’re poor, after all. For the very same reasons they struggle in a free market, they fail in the political market too. By Director’s logic and contrary to popular belief, the big jackpot winners in democracy are the members of the motivated middle class. They take from the rich and the poor. (Here’s George Stigler’s paper on Director’s Law.)

Today Eric Falkenstein says the middle class is no longer the dominant coalition in the U.S.. Instead, we have a bar bell coalition made up of the political savvy and the lowest classes. He says it’s the end of Director’s Law:

So, perhaps every society has a different optimal coalition at various times, and currently I don’t see what will keep it from bringing everything down to the coalition of a few elites, sincerely deluded as to their belief in the virtue of government spending, combined with a vast entitlement mob at the bottom, all literally feeding off the middle class. It sounds a lot like South America.

I’m not certain Eric’s got it right here, though. I wouldn’t repeal Director’s Law yet. There’s a publicly funded middle class that is still grabbing, grasping, gripping, plucking, possessing and raiding quite well. Just like old times. The inexcusable public pensions, the outlandish salaries for cops, tenured public school teachers, and city managers, the coming baby boom entitlement tsunami, increasingly generous student loan programs for increasingly useless undergraduate degrees, bailouts for unions, banks and insiders—all of this is tribute paid by the rich and the for-profit middle to the politically connected. The demographics have changed some, but not completely.

Anyway, Milton Friedman explains Director’s Law here:

Share

147 Comments
  1. September 18, 2014 1:15 pm

    I feel that is among the such a lot important information for me.
    And i’m satisfied studying your article. But want to remark on some normal issues,
    The web site taste is great, the articles is in reality excellent :
    D. Excellent process, cheers

  2. September 18, 2014 12:34 pm

    Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to
    be on the web the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked
    while people consider worries that they just don’t know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people
    can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
    Thanks

  3. September 18, 2014 4:24 am

    Hi, this weekend is fastidious in favor of me, since this occasion i am reading this enormous
    informative post here at my residence.

  4. September 16, 2014 10:29 am

    My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your post’s to be
    just what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content for you?
    I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the
    subjects you write with regards to here. Again,
    awesome web log!

  5. September 15, 2014 10:45 pm

    Hi just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images
    aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.

  6. September 15, 2014 10:11 pm

    It’s hard to find well-informed people for this topic, but you
    seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

  7. September 14, 2014 3:14 am

    This design is steller! You certainly know how to keep a reader entertained.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!)
    Wonderful job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that,
    how you presented it. Too cool!

  8. September 14, 2014 12:51 am

    Heya just wanteɗ to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of
    thhe pictures aren’t loaɗing properly. I’m not surе
    why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve trtied it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.

  9. September 13, 2014 4:44 pm

    Wonderful website. A lot of useful information here.
    I’m sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious.
    And naturally, thank you in your effort!

  10. September 13, 2014 9:52 am

    Hi there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone!
    Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!

    Keep up the outstanding work!

  11. September 13, 2014 5:33 am

    Amazing issues here. I am very happy to see your
    article. Thank you a lot and I’m having a look ahead to contact you.
    Will you please drop me a e-mail?

  12. September 13, 2014 3:59 am

    Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your
    articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything.
    Nevertheless think about if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts
    more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this blog could undeniably be one of the greatest in its field.
    Amazing blog!

  13. September 12, 2014 8:58 pm

    I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your
    authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got
    an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly very
    often inside case you shield this hike.

  14. September 4, 2014 5:18 pm

    I love what you guys are up too. This sort of clever
    work and coverage! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve added
    you guys to my own blogroll.

  15. duty free shop permalink
    September 4, 2014 4:02 pm

    I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
    I’m quite certain I will learn plenty of new stuff
    right here! Best of luck for the next!

  16. shopping online sites permalink
    September 4, 2014 3:59 pm

    Great blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!
    What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your
    host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  17. September 4, 2014 1:50 pm

    Why visitors still use to read news papers when in this technological world all is
    accessible on net?

  18. September 3, 2014 12:54 am

    A levy allows the IRS to legally seize and sell any type of property you own or have interest in including houses, cars, or boats.
    Check through the items listed below to be
    sure that you are not missing any of these deductions on your self-employment tax returns.
    Keep all receipts for all supplies you purchase for your business.

  19. September 2, 2014 6:45 pm

    What’s up everybody, here every one is sharing these kinds of knowledge, thus it’s good to read this web site, and I used to go to see this web site daily.

  20. September 2, 2014 4:55 pm

    I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish
    be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the
    same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  21. September 2, 2014 7:22 am

    Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter
    and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.”
    She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside
    and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
    LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  22. September 2, 2014 5:44 am

    I am actually thankful to the owner of this web page who has shared this enormous paragraph at at this time.

  23. September 2, 2014 2:53 am

    Hey! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where
    I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using
    the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  24. September 1, 2014 4:00 pm

    Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve keep in mind your stuff
    prior to and you’re just extremely excellent. I really like what
    you’ve got here, really like what you are saying and the best
    way wherein you are saying it. You are making it enjoyable and
    you continue to take care of to keep it smart. I can not wait to
    read much more from you. That is really a wonderful website.

  25. September 1, 2014 1:36 am

    Heya! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone!
    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look
    forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!

  26. August 31, 2014 8:59 pm

    Today, it is actually considered one of the best platforms to connect with the clients.
    A lemon juice detox helps the liver to remove excess toxins and can help in the cleansing
    process. The first product that was reviewed from the Sephora and Pantone Universe 2013
    Color of the Year Emerald collection is a Color Grid Shadow Block in Bionic
    (emerald, white alyssum, crown).

  27. August 31, 2014 3:03 pm

    Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the challenges.
    It was really informative. Your site is useful. Thanks for
    sharing!

  28. August 31, 2014 6:29 am

    Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you, However I am going through troubles
    with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot join it.
    Is there anyone else having the same RSS issues? Anybody
    who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  29. August 25, 2014 2:47 am

    What’s up to every body, it’s my first go to see
    of this webpage; this webpage carries remarkable and truly
    fine material designed for visitors.

  30. August 20, 2014 2:14 am

    Hi there, its nice paragraph concerning media print, we all know media
    is a wonderful source of facts.

  31. August 18, 2014 6:18 am

    I’ve been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours
    nowadays, but I never discovered any fascinating article like yours.
    It’s lovely value enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you probably did,
    the net will likely be much more useful than ever before.

  32. August 18, 2014 12:34 am

    If you want to improve your know-how simply keep visiting this web
    page and be updated with the hottest gossip posted here.

  33. August 17, 2014 10:26 am

    of course like your web site but you have to test the
    spelling on quite a few of your posts. A
    number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very
    troublesome to tell the reality however I will surely come again again.

  34. August 17, 2014 10:21 am

    Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful
    & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like
    you aided me.

  35. August 17, 2014 6:21 am

    Whats up this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG
    editors or if you have to manually code with
    HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise
    so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  36. August 17, 2014 1:53 am

    Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after
    looking at a few of the articles I realized it’s new to
    me. Anyways, I’m certainly pleased I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!

  37. August 15, 2014 6:58 pm

    certainly like your web-site but you need to test the spelling on several
    of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I
    find it very troublesome to inform the truth on the other hand I’ll definitely come again again.

  38. August 8, 2014 10:47 am

    When someone writes an article he/she keeps the plan of a user in his/her
    mind that how a user can know it. So that’s why this paragraph is perfect.
    Thanks!

  39. August 8, 2014 6:51 am

    Great post.

  40. August 7, 2014 2:08 pm

    Just want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness
    in your post is simply excellent and i could assume you are an expert
    on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date
    with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.

  41. August 7, 2014 3:49 am

    This is exactly where the significance of DUI Defense lawyers is highly
    emphasized. The downside is these funds cannot be added to, except
    with other qualified funds. If you are convicted you will
    need to get insurance specially catered to DUI drivers.

  42. August 4, 2014 5:07 am

    Hey would you mind letting me know which web host you’re utilizing?

    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I
    must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you
    recommend a good hosting provider at a fair price?

    Cheers, I appreciate it!

  43. August 4, 2014 1:44 am

    continuously i used to read smaller posts which as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with
    this article which I am reading here.

  44. August 3, 2014 8:47 pm

    My relatives all the time say that I am wasting my
    time here at net, however I know I am getting knowledge every day by
    reading thes pleasant articles or reviews.

  45. August 2, 2014 5:00 am

    No matter if some one searches for his vital thing, thus
    he/she desires to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.

Comments are closed.

%d bloggers like this: