Dan Mitchell’s 20 Theorems of Government
In a time when the predictability of sunrises and the simplicity of campfires seem to define governance, Dan Mitchell’s 20 Theorems of Government serve as important reminders of the principles that the founders of America seemed to grasp intuitively. These theorems, created by co-founders of a center focused on freedom and prosperity, highlight the ongoing failures of centralized authority and the benefits of free individuals engaging in free markets.
Rather than predictions, these serve as explanations of government behavior when left unchecked and illustrate the societal consequences when state power outpaces the capabilities of its citizens.
The crux of the issue isn’t necessarily the individuals in government but rather the inherent structure of the government itself.
Mitchell’s first theorem, which encapsulates the functioning of Washington, could easily be displayed above every federal agency’s entrance. It conveys that politics incentivizes the spending of others’ money for benefits that don’t accrue to them. This setup discourages accountability while promoting political rewards. Once we accept that incentives shape outcomes, the subsequent theorems become clear.
Next, to be candid, new programs tend to expand, leading to wastefulness. Centralized systems often grow inefficient due to a lack of competitive pressures, minus profit and loss instincts, and no personal accountability for failures. If a private business falters, it bears the consequences. Conversely, when the government fails, it often requests larger budgets.
As the theorems progress, they expose the widening divide between political promises and economic realities. Yes, solid policy can lead to good politics, but often the incentives guide politicians toward quick fixes and fleeting satisfaction. Even strong ideas can decay within the bureaucracy. With increased government, inefficiency and unresponsiveness also grow, as bureaucrats react to political forces instead of consumer demands, leading to waste and apathy.
Diving deeper into the moral dilemmas surrounding government overreach, those who obsess over equality seldom aim to uplift the disadvantaged. Instead, they often search for reasons to justify greater control. Whether rooted in actual crises or not, the fear of crises frequently becomes a tool for increasing state power. Politics generally trumps principled approaches, and this observation isn’t just ironic; it’s supported by centuries of evidence.
Another critical point is the misunderstanding that big businesses are synonymous with free enterprise; often, they pose as a threat to it. Businesses may collaborate with the government to shield themselves from competition. Additionally, opposing entitlement reforms essentially leads to massive tax increases. Without adopting a European-style tax system, it’s challenging to sustain a similarly structured welfare state. History shows that voters are resistant to financing an expansive government that they might believe they desire.
This naturally leads to the ideas behind the sixteenth and seventeenth theorems: Economic advancement transforms into a rivalry between private innovation and public expenditure. When governmental expansion outpaces private sector growth, stagnation is often the outcome. Even worse, when dependence becomes commonplace, it chips away at the very cultural foundations of freedom. A nation that loses its ability to be self-reliant risks losing its freedom.
The final three theorems continue to paint a troubling picture. Climate policies often come across as hypocritical when elites require sacrifices from others while refusing to make similar sacrifices themselves. Politicians tend to act out of a desire for immediate gains, often at future costs, and the resulting fiscal data aligns with these patterns, leading to swollen budget deficits and continuous obligations.
In short, Mitchell’s 20 theorems resonate with the conclusions proposed by Milton Friedman years ago: the issue lies not in the caliber of individuals within government but in the very nature of government itself. An unrestrained government will ultimately burden the populace it claims to serve.
If Americans wish to preserve both prosperity and freedom, it’s essential to treat these theorems as actionable truths rather than remnants of political theory. The route isn’t obscure. It involves constraining government and promoting market freedom. These are age-old principles, but their urgency has never been more pressing.
