283. How to Run Wars with Dr. Abby Hall | Let People Prosper Show Ep. 112🎙️

How to Run Wars: A Confidential Playbook for the National Security Elite

Hello Friends!

Join me for Episode 112 of the Let People Prosper Show with Dr. Abby Hall, as we discuss her fantastic co-authored new book How to Run Wars: A Confidential Playbook for the National Security Elite. She is an Associate Professor in Economics at the University of Tampa and received her PhD in Economics from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Her co-author is

Chris Coyne

was a previous guest on the Show.

Check out the full episode below or on your favorite podcast platform (short videos and more insights are behind the paywall), rate it highly wherever you get it, and share it with others.

Our discussion revolves around the misconceptions Americans hold about the national security elite's ability to plan wars, the impact of the military-industrial complex on the economy, and the delicate balance between liberty and security.

Key Points:

• Misconceptions about National Security: Dr. Hall highlights two major misconceptions. First is the belief that the national security elite act in the public interest when their decisions often reflect individual preferences rather than a true "national" interest. Second, the notion that peace and order result from top-down control by a small group of elites ignores the potential for emergent orders that arise from the interactions of individuals pursuing their own ends.

• Liberty vs. Security: The conversation challenges the simplistic framing of a trade-off between liberty and security. Dr. Hall argues that giving up liberty doesn't necessarily result in greater security and that more liberty could foster stronger social ties, leading to a more peaceful world.

• Economic Impact of the Military-Industrial Complex: Dr. Hall delves into the military sector as an example of non-comprehensive planning, where public-private partnerships redirect resources away from wealth-creating private uses. She describes the military sector as "political capitalism" and references economist Kenneth Boulding's critique of the war industry as a cancer on American society.

• Influence of Libertarian Thinkers: The discussion touches on how thinkers like F.A. Hayek and others in the liberal tradition have shaped Dr. Hall's views on the limitations of government planning and the ethical implications of war-making.

• Satirical Writing Style: Dr. Hall explains her choice of satire in her book, using humor and sarcasm to expose the absurdities of war-making and the national security state. The goal is to encourage readers to reflect on these widely accepted practices critically.

• Policy Implications: While acknowledging the challenges of changing US foreign policy, Dr. Hall advocates for removing secrecy and repressive tools that hinder public debate and setting a high bar for justifying war-making, emphasizing evidence and transparency.

This episode is a thought-provoking exploration of how the principles of free-market economics and the wisdom of the Founding Fathers can help us understand the complexities of national security and the true costs of warfare.

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