Harvard economist Greg Mankiw explores the pros and cons of paternalistic governance.
Taxing soda may encourage better nutrition and benefit our future selves. But so could taxing candy, ice cream and fried foods. Subsidizing broccoli, gym memberships and dental floss comes next. Taxing mindless television shows and subsidizing serious literature cannot be far behind.
Even as adults, we sometimes wish for parents to be looking over our shoulders and guiding us to the right decisions. The question is, do you trust the government enough to appoint it your guardian?
N. Gregory Mankiw, “Economic View: Can a Soda Tax Save Us From Ourselves?”, New York Times, 6 June 2010.
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