Friday, January 19, 2024

Milei makes case for capitalism at Davos

Javier Milei Tells World Leaders: 'The State Is Not the Solution' | Reason | Katarina Hall: 

January 18, 2024 - "Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei praised the virtues of free markets and warned political leaders about the dangers of collectivism in a speech at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday. 'The West is in danger, it is in danger because those who are supposed to defend Western values find themselves co-opted by a worldview that — inexorably — leads to socialism, consequently to poverty," Milei said in the opening of his keynote speech in Davos, Switzerland, during his first overseas trip as president.

"Milei explained that no other country is a better example of this trend than Argentina. Once a global economic powerhouse, Argentina has spiraled into poverty as a consequence of extensive state intervention in the economy. Two out of every five Argentines live in poverty and the inflation rate is over 200 percent.

"In his 23-minute address, Milei argued that the key to eradicating poverty worldwide lies in adopting free market ideals and capitalism. 'Far from being the cause of our problems, free enterprise capitalism, as an economic system, is the only tool we have to end hunger, poverty, and indigence,' he continued. 'The empirical evidence is unquestionable'....

"The libertarian president emphasized that market failure can only happen if there is coercion by the state, 'which has a monopoly on violence.' He criticized the collectivist approach of dismissing freedom and opting for more regulation to fix a country, which generates 'a downward spiral of regulations until we are all poorer'.... 

"Since his inauguration on December 10, the anarcho-capitalist president has implemented measures to counteract Argentina's history of collectivist policies, including a substantial devaluation of the peso and a reduction of government ministries. In December, Milei presented several other reform bills to Argentina's Congress, which aim to drastically cut state spending and deregulate several economic sectors. Milei's proposals are currently being discussed by Congress, but his party lacks the majority in both houses of Congress. The proposals also face staunch opposition from labor unions and other protesters.... 

"'We come here today to invite the other countries of the West to return to the path of prosperity,' Milei told his audience. 'Economic freedom, limited government, and unrestricted respect for private property are essential elements for economic growth. This phenomenon of impoverishment produced by collectivism is not a fantasy. Nor fatalism. It is a reality that we Argentines know very well.'|

"'"Do not give in to the advance of the state. The state is not the solution. The state is the problem itself," Milei declared."

Read more: https://reason.com/2024/01/18/javier-milei-tells-world-leaders-the-state-is-not-the-solution/

Special address by Javier Milei, President of Argentina | Davos 2024 | World Economic Forum | January 17, 2024 (Event begins at 4:00; Milei's speech begins at 6:00)

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