Bruce Yandle’s Reply

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Yesterday, I received a response from the legendary Public Choice scholar, Dr. Bruce Yandle. There were three main takeaways from his response to my e-mail. Even through e-mail communications, Dr. Yandle exhibits all of the decorum and humility you would expect from a southern gentleman. It truly is a privilege as a nonacademic to be able to have such an exchange with one of my intellectual heroes.

 

 

Takeaway #1- He was Humbled by the Fact that His Theory Was So Influential Upon My Thinking

 

I was slightly surprised that he was humbled by the impact his theory has had on my thinking. He was particularly humbled by the fact that I find his theory to be a powerful means for explaining the world. I could not agree more. The Bootleggers and Baptists’ paradigm is not relegated purely to the sphere of politics and regulation. As he mentioned in his response you start to notice examples everywhere once you are familiar with the concept. That speaks volumes of the conceptual transcendents of the theory. Making all the more brilliant observations. Above all, I am glad that Dr. Yandle was able to see that his theory has influenced others. That it is a “living idea” not just a sterile postulation that is confined to dusty economic textbooks. But a profound theory that explains the world how it is. Not imposing value judgments of what should be.

 

It should also be noted that he did see some sound reasoning in equating  Bootleggers and Baptists to the Id and Superego. He also alluded to Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiment, citing that both roles also paralleled Smith’s” the man within the breast” and the “impartial spectator”.

 

 

Takeaway #2- Dr. Yandle conceptually finds the prospect of a Dual-Role Actor to be valid.

 

Dr. Yandle stated that he like the term “Dual-Role Actor” and agrees with it as a premise. Using the example of how Donald Trump as addressed immigration policy for how many times politicians fall into this category. Utilizing arguments around reducing crime from the standpoint of the moral high road. Then in the next breathe stressing the point of how immigrants take jobs from American citizens. Simultaneously appeasing the Bootleggers and Baptists  Making Trump’s clumsy balancing act a pure example of a “Dual-Actor” paradigm. He assures me that I am correct in my assumption that the B&B dynamic does not explain the origin of these coalitions, but rather the details of the occurrence.

 

Takeaway #3- Keep Writing and Thinking About Regulation.

 

Dr. Yandle also encouraged me by stating “I wish you well and hope that you will keep thinking and writing about regulation”. That is a suggestion I will certainly follow!