Decades ago, economist Bruce Yandle observed that local bans on alcoholic beverage sales enjoyed support from groups with antithetical values: moral crusaders (Baptists) and lawbreaking opportunists (bootleggers). Similar ironic political coalitions have since been noted in numerous pro-regulation campaigns past and present, including recent calls for regulating the digital economy in Italy.
Bootleggers and Baptists Go Digital
By Carlo Stagnaro
This
article
appeared in
the Fall 2020 issue of The Independent Review.
Crime, Criminal Justice, and PrisonsCulture and SocietyDrug WarEconomyLaw and LibertyPhilosophy and ReligionTelecom and Internet Policy