This episode features a lecture by economics professor Daniel J. D’Amico from 2011 on intellectual property law. He discusses several arguments for and against government enforcement of intellectual property, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights. He explores both moral arguments (deontological) and cost benefit arguments (consequential), dedicating most of his time to consequential arguments. He finds that, in general, intellectual property is difficult to enforce and is inherently an anti-rival good. As a result, he finds no compelling case for government established intellectual property law.
Tag: government
Aircraft Carriers: Give Truman and Ford a Burial at Sea
The US Department of Defense wants to retire an old aircraft carrier early while building two new ones (and adding other goodies to their shopping list). Surprise, surprise — politicians from states with the shipyards and naval bases that employ their constituents want to keep the old carrier AND build the new ones.
Reflections on the Balan-Caplan Poverty Debate
I really enjoyed my Tuesday debate on “The Philosophy of Poverty?” with my friend David Balan. Many thanks to GMU’s Economics Society for setting it up. While we had a great discussion, here are a few thoughts I’d like to add.
Divided (Artificially) by Government
This town in which I reside straddles the state line between Texas and New Mexico. So, it is “officially” considered two towns. But why?
Courts Have Institutionalized Revenge
Punishment isn’t justice. I understand the desire to see a person suffer when their actions have hurt you. I’ve been there. But that’s not justice, it’s revenge; justice’s polar opposite. Government courts — the misnamed “justice system” — are founded on ritualized revenge.
The Philosophy of Poverty?: My Opening Statement
The default view is that the government should dramatically expand redistribution programs, forcing the well-endowed – especially business and the rich – to provide a decent standard of living for everyone. I strongly reject this default view.
Congress’s Cowardly “Emergency” Rebuke
Trump’s declaration of a fake “national emergency” was actually a declaration that he is now an absolute monarch, a dictator, no longer accountable to Congress for his actions. If that’s not covered by the Constitution’s “high Crimes and Misdemeanors” clause outlining grounds for impeachment, what is?
Going Along to Get Along vs. Lines in The Sand
Anyone not performing the rituals must be confronted. Even threatened. Which makes me dislike their rituals even more. I want to get along with most people. I’ll even go along with some things that don’t seem too important in the long run. It’s a balance. I have no illusions I get it right, but I try. But don’t try to shove me across one of my lines in the sand.
The Shared Lyft Ride Should Replace Public Transportation
I think it’s this feeling of safety that enables people to be so open with each other in shared Lyft rides. Unless you work really hard, you just won’t find the kind of regular spontaneity and friendliness of a shared Lyft in your next subway ride.
Killing the American Meritocracy
It is my belief that those who prefer a centrally planned society to one based on freedom, liberty, and personal achievement are intentionally rewriting history so as to make people believe that so-called “privilege” rather than merit has been the primary factor in achieving success throughout American history.