Haiti and the Development Idea that Hasn't Been Tried
The world is still reacting to the horrific death and destruction in Haiti, and a lot of people are asking "what can I do to help the world's poor?" Here's Michael Clemens with an answer on "The biggest idea in development that no one really tried." In short, open the borders. I've written on this at DOL before (1, 2, 3, 4), but the recent disaster in Haiti illustrates the human tragedy caused by poverty--poverty that can be substantially reduced by adopting markets without borders.
The statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume an authority which could safely be trusted, not only to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it. -Adam Smith
