[lit-ideas] Re: Who won, or lost, the Cold War

  • From: Donal McEvoy <donalmcevoyuk@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 16:04:08 +0000 (GMT)

> I'd argue following Hayek, of all the people, that
> Cold War prolonged the Soviet Union. Hayek, in Road to
> Serfdom, argued that while central planning may be
> effective at times of war because there is a clear
> collective goal, but this is an exceptional situation.
> Who needs input from the market when what is need
> tanks, missiles and fighter plains? The Soviets had no
> problems producing great weapons. Cars, appliances,
> housing, food, etc. were another matter. Also, we
> should not discount the utility of having a common
> enemy in control of population.

I also understand that Hayek produced very strong purely economic arguments
why the USSR was unviable and could only be sustained by artificial measures
like 'war'. 

Best,
Donal


                
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