As I listen to the speakers and look through the programme for today's conference (available here), I see that every person on the programme is paid by taxpayers, directly or indirectly. There are professors of policy, representatives of consulting firms with gubmnt contracts, bureaucrats, and politicians. It would be a much better-balanced programme if there were representatives from, say, C.D. Howe or The Fraser Institute, here as well. As it is everyone who has spoken is really into planning, which, of course, concerns me considerably. Examples:
- People talk about developing technologies rather than providing a fertile atmosphere for the private sector to do these things
- People talk about energy sustainability but never mention the role of the price system.
Where is Hayek when we need him (and I simply cannot pinch hit for him given my own inabilities). Someone needs to quote Hayek on the importance of markets to provide incentives and especially information.
Update: Hayek said it so well in 1945. Please, please read this.