Captured Economy
by Brink Lindsey, Steven M. Teles · first published 2019
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3HN commenters
2018–2023first – last mentioned
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If only we could reduce regulation, so technology could be applied to more areas, and the incumbent companies and their cronies didn't have a strangehold on the economy. Recommended reading: The Captured Economy by Lindsey, Teles, et al. By The People by Charles Murray
on “Revisiting Vernor Vinge’s “predictions” for 2025” ↗…That's a great summary of the structural problems in our government that allow regressive rent seeking to overtake so many industries. For a (slightly) longer exposition I found chapters 6 and 7 of "The Captured Economy" by Lindsey and Teles quite informative.
on “California higher-density housing bill blocked in first committee hearing” ↗…effectively captured by local residents who, for completely rational concerns about their uninsurable property values, push for lots of legislation designed to mitigate change. I found chapters 6 and 7 of "The Captured Economy" by Lindsey and Teles to be the best exposition on this. They also detail a few ways one could change the system (eg. paying staffers more to attract better talent would make lobbyists jobs harder).
on “North American vs. Japanese zoning” ↗1. The Captured Economy by Lindsey and Teles 2. Tyranny, Inc. by Ahmari 3. American Revolutions by Alan Taylor 4. Everything Flows by Vasili Grossman
on “Ask HN: Any interesting books you have read lately?” ↗…about the history of religion and how much is misunderstood in modern times. "Years of Lyndon Johnson" by Robert Caro A detailed and well-researched biography of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. "The Captured Economy" by Lindsey and Teles "American Revolutions" by Alan Taylor "Everything Flows" by Vasili Grossman "Silk Roads" by Peter Frankopan A history of the world from a Central Asian perspective. "Too Perfect:…
on “Ask HN: Any interesting books you have read lately?” ↗I recommend starting by reducing all the problems mentioned in the book "The Captured Economy", in particular residential zoning restrictions, occupational licensing (for all but the most safety relevant professions), and patent reform. To that I would add, significantly simplify all laws, processes,…
on “Tech companies are quietly defunding diversity pledges” ↗