Hail the might dollar, indeed...

A little editorial on the Church of the GDP!

It does reflect a little truth, in pointing out that many philanthropic moments were during economic boomtimes like the 1910s.

In short, when the country is getting rich, it really does benefit all.  However, I'm not so sure that its mere philanthropism on the part of the rich.  Its more a case of the minorities at each stage using that boom time to yell rather loudly, "where's my cut?".  The editorial does point out that plenty of freedom/privilage-granting moments happened in depressions,

In short, its a trend that is generally applicable, but not reliable as a "law" in the details.

From my reply to the article author:

Interesting.  I would also point out another possible flaw in Friedman's essay the way you've summarized it.  As with any study, failure to isolate variables leads to inconclusive evidence, as does failure to ignore trends that contradict your findings (which you pointed out already with the great depression).

The granting of voting rights for women and full rights for blacks did happen at relative boom times, but the leaders of those revolutions also took advantage of mass media and the ability to make the public feel how morally repugnant the discrimination was.  That could have happened at any time, not just an economic boom.

Similar events you summarize could also be explained through mass social protest (or the fear of) rather than mere philanthropism, like France's granting of universal voting rights after the 1870 -- boom or bust, the social atmosphere in Europe at the time was leading to universal voting rights simply as a way to avoid revolution from the socialist ideas starting to take hold. Like blacks fighting in WW2 or 'Nam and then joining protest movements upon their return, war without real personal benefit really makes one wonder what they were fighting for, particularly if one is educated.

So as you note, its a nice way to think about it, but its not a law anyone can rely on.  History holds too many variables that all must come into play to understand what happens and why, in order to predict the consequences of our own actions today.

update: Samuelson has nicely already replied: Thanks. To be fair to Friedman, he points out many of the complications. It's a very rich book. But I generally agree with your caution: it would be nice to think we can predict the consequences of our actions, but usually we can't.

make it too expensive to work in your state and they'll move out. its happened before...

I'm inclined to agree:

The ["Wal-Mart" Maryland  healthcare fairness] legislation has prompted imitators in 30 states. Where it passes, no one should be surprised by unintended consequences. Wal-Mart and other targeted firms may shift jobs or planned facilities elsewhere. Many low-wage younger workers may still opt out of health coverage even if offered a more generous plan. In trying to address the national problems of health care and uninsured workers, lawmakers in Maryland and other states could inflict on themselves a new set of problems while failing to solve the underlying one. -- The Washington Post

an oops and a rant

The oops is the result of what happens when bureaucratic policy, mindlessly applied, takes precedence over a simple act of observation.

The Fair Oaks Barnes and Noble's DVD people placed the obligatory "10% Off" stickers on a particular DVD exactly where they were supposed to (the upper right corner) and placed it prominantly right up front where it can be seen, at kids eye level, from everybody as soon as they walk into the media section of the store.

The DVD was Disney's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a new kids title.  If you view the picture you'll note the placement of the word Caterpillar on the next line, leaving the top row with just the first three words.

The sticker covered up precisely and completely the letters "ry", leaving the rest exposed.

I'll leave it to you to rediscover what I saw.

The rant comes from lunch and goes to ignorant people with kids (so nobody on this friendslist applies).  When you're trying to get your kid to be quiet at a restaurant, don't give the kid a toy that makes a loud noise (like, say, a battery-powered puppy like the ones always in front of the K-B stores in the mall).  Replacing one form of noise polution with another does not solve the problem of noise polution; it only eases your personal guilt.