Useful Definitions
Posted on May 31, 2016
“Social engineering:” public policies incentivizing human behavior with the goal of improving the general welfare. (We’ve recently seen Kansas Speaker of the house speak out against this kind of thing.)
“Law and order:” public policies incentivizing human behavior with the goal of getting demagogues reelected.
“Marketing:” public action incentivizing human behavior with the goal of maximizing monopoly profits.*
*Contrary to lay understanding, marketing always seeks to enhance a monopoly advantage–a monopoly of location or brand-name or mere public awareness.