It’s a bit counterintuitive, but I think there’s a legitimate point behind Garett Jones’s position. If you introduce a screening mechanism that raises the marginal utilities of the first immigrants you admit, the optimal level of immigration usually rises higher than it was without the screening mechanism. It is not a coincidence that Canada simultaneously has high standards for immigrants and a high level of immigration.
My favored mechanism for screening applications: auction visas to the highest bidder and let the market select them. The proceeds get sent to every US citizen as compensation for the negative externalities immigrants produce.
I am sympathetic to Jones' position on immigration, but he is also delusional- his proposal makes no sense unless you have complete control of the borders of the county, and you enforce the laws against illegal entry, and I don't think Jones would support what would necessary to gain that control.
Jones calls his books the Singapore trilogy, and of course Singapore has total control over its borders and imposes incredibly harsh penalties for illegal immigration.
It's notable too that while a lot of immigration to Singapore is foreign expats, a good chunk is ethnic Chinese from the mainland (either China itself or Malaysia). Immigration of same ethnics from the mainland is one of the ways that Singapore maintains its racial balance, but this is largely a non-renewable resource. Malaysia will run out of Chinese and China won't always be poor.
It’s a bit counterintuitive, but I think there’s a legitimate point behind Garett Jones’s position. If you introduce a screening mechanism that raises the marginal utilities of the first immigrants you admit, the optimal level of immigration usually rises higher than it was without the screening mechanism. It is not a coincidence that Canada simultaneously has high standards for immigrants and a high level of immigration.
My favored mechanism for screening applications: auction visas to the highest bidder and let the market select them. The proceeds get sent to every US citizen as compensation for the negative externalities immigrants produce.
Government tariffing this and that but not tariffing that or this is nuts.
If there's a need buy the widget or make it. But tariffs: F^*# no.
I was in San Antonio years ago for a Jeffrey Friedman-led student event. Thought it was kind of a dump. The Riverwalk was moderately nice though.
Austin is meh too. That whole area reminds me of Central Valley California. But with humidity instead of dry heat.
Lancaster is underrated. As small cities go, it's a blue chipper.
I am sympathetic to Jones' position on immigration, but he is also delusional- his proposal makes no sense unless you have complete control of the borders of the county, and you enforce the laws against illegal entry, and I don't think Jones would support what would necessary to gain that control.
Jones calls his books the Singapore trilogy, and of course Singapore has total control over its borders and imposes incredibly harsh penalties for illegal immigration.
It's notable too that while a lot of immigration to Singapore is foreign expats, a good chunk is ethnic Chinese from the mainland (either China itself or Malaysia). Immigration of same ethnics from the mainland is one of the ways that Singapore maintains its racial balance, but this is largely a non-renewable resource. Malaysia will run out of Chinese and China won't always be poor.
I have always liked San Antonio, but the main reason to go is the food.
You should devote a Monday evening to The Muddle of Labor and Capital.