Motus Mentis

Well, here’s a sensational assertion: were it not for the stifling effect of federal regulation, our 2011 GDP would have been $53.9 trillion, rather than the paltry $15.1 trillion we ended up with.

So say economists John Dawson of Appalachian State University and John Seater of North Carolina State University, in a recently published paper, Federal Regulation and Aggregate Economic Growth.

I haven’t read it yet; I’ve only seen this brief item, which contained the link, and thought I’d pass it along. (Lazy of me? Sure. I’ll look it over as time permits in the days ahead.)

Obviously, GDP isn’t everything, and equally obviously not all regulation is bad. I prefer not having to worry much about buying tainted food; I’m glad our doctors and airline pilots have to go through rigorous certification. I assume the authors of this paper feel the same way.

Anyway, have a look.