Guest Alain Bertaud, feted urbanist with experience in city planning in communist China, Algeria, Cuba, and France, shares insights on working in command economies, challenges of affordable housing, subsidies for art and culture, contesting France's pension system, red wine myths, French Revolution glorification, comparing dictators, and reflections on protests and the Alamo in Texas.
Command economies lead to low productivity, lack of consumer feedback, and inefficient resource allocation.
Cultural differences influence the mindset towards government and regulations, with France having a centralized approach and the United States being more decentralized.
Government subsidies for the arts and entertainment industry can lead to elitism and restrictions on individual choice, and property rights should be prioritized in the housing market.
Deep dives
Experience working in command economies
Alonbert Dowd shares his experiences working in command economies such as the Soviet Union and China. He describes how a centrally planned economy leads to low productivity, lack of consumer feedback, and inefficient allocation of resources. Examples of this inefficiency include broken glass in buildings due to thin glass being produced to meet arbitrary quotas, and the production of low-quality goods that lack consumer demand due to the absence of competition.
Decentralization and cultural differences
Dowd discusses the importance of decentralization in government and how cultural differences affect the mindset towards government and regulations. He explains that France has a strong centralization culture, with a high expectation of government involvement in various aspects of life, including the arts and entertainment. In contrast, the United States has a more decentralized approach, allowing local communities and states to have more freedom in decision-making. He also highlights the need for balance, where certain aspects of culture and heritage can be subsidized while avoiding excessive regulation and interference in the private sector.
The drawbacks of cultural subsidies
Dowd raises concerns about the government subsidizing the arts and entertainment industry. He argues that such subsidies can lead to elitism, where the government decides what the public should consume and limits individual choice. He suggests that classic and historical art forms, like classical music or literature, may be more suitable for public subsidies due to their cultural significance, but modern art and entertainment should be left to the free market. He also emphasizes the importance of property rights and minimizing government intervention in the housing market, allowing the private sector to meet diverse housing needs more efficiently.
Government Subsidies and Community Support for Shakespeare
Despite the absence of government subsidies for Shakespeare in the United States, the love for Shakespeare persists. People in all 50 states continue to appreciate and perform Shakespeare's works. While live performances may be costly, simpler versions of Shakespeare can still be accessed on platforms like Netflix. Additionally, community initiatives like Shakespeare in the Park in New York City demonstrate the willingness of individuals to fund and make Shakespeare accessible to all.
Views on Philanthropy and Government Intervention in France
France has a low tradition of philanthropy, with many individuals relying on the government to fulfill societal needs. There is even suspicion towards philanthropists in the country, as people expect the state to take on the responsibilities that would typically be fulfilled by philanthropy. However, some individuals, like the speaker, have a different perspective. They view government intervention as a last resort and believe in the power of charities to allocate resources efficiently. They consider their own ability to choose which charities to support and ensure their resources are utilized effectively.
Alain Bertaud is a feted urbanist, who before becoming a professor at NYU, worked in city planning in communist China, as well as on projects in Algeria, Cuba, and his native France. He joins to discuss what work and results look like in top-down command economies.
