Do dictators deliver more effective government than constitutional democracies?

1. Do dictators deliver more effective government than constitutional democracies? Mark Harrison, 6 November 2012

2. In a democracy • There is (relatively) open government. • The government discusses a decision. • One person complains. • The next one goes on strike. • Then everyone wants a say. • Then there’s a U-turn. • The risk is nothing gets done. • That’s a cost of democracy.

3. Under a dictator • The government discusses a decision. • Nobody knows because the decision is a secret. • The decision is carried out. • Russia: Stalin’s five year plans built new cities, new industries, and the Red Army. • China: Mao Zedong famously ordered a “Great Leap Forward.” • The risk is that it’s a disaster. • But at least it got decided.

4. Secrets are valuable Dilbert 2.0: 20 Years of Dilbert, by Scott Adams

5. If it’s secret, how can you tell? • You have to wait for regime change. • Then you can do the history. • In 1991 communist rule collapsed in the Russian Empire (“Soviet Union”). • Leaving hundreds of millions of documents. • Mostly stamped:

6. Secrets were valuable – and costly • You make a secret decision and you write it down. • The paper you write it on is secret. • You put it on a list and count it. • You send it to Comrade X to carry out. • How can you be sure it’s still secret? • Comrade X gives you a receipt. • The receipt is also secret. • You put that on the list and count it too.

7. Files of KGB counter-intelligence, Lithuania 1940-1991

8. Conclusion • Dictators operate in secret. • Secret government carries hidden costs. • We don’t see the waste and inefficiency because these are secret. • No system is perfect. • At least with democracy, what you see is what you get.

9. Psst! Any questions? By EslyCarrero