Six years ago, I participated in the first of four Pacific Rim Policy Exchange (2007 to 2010) mainly sponsored by the Americans for Tax Reforms (ATR) plus several other free market think tanks. I spoke on the panel on privatization.
I limited my presentation to a few theories then some data about the Philippines. Among my co-speakers in the panel was Jose Penera, the former Chairperson of Chile's Social Security system I think. Lucky for me, most if not all questions during the open forum were directed to him. It was my first talk in a mostly American audience.
When government moves away from its core function -- protecting the people's right to private property, freedom against aggression, and freedom of expression, individual liberty -- various types of inefficiencies and wastes can result.
Then I discussed some big and more scandalous public corporations like Napocor and NFA. Also big monopolies like SSS, GSIS and MIAA.
And here's how a tax cut can accompany large-scale privatization.
See also:
Privatization 9: PAGCOR and Casino Operations, May 16, 2012
Fat-Free Econ 12: Privatizing PAGCOR, June 08, 2012
Privatization 10: More on Selling PAGCOR, June 12, 2013
As usual, very informative! I just wonder if Philippines is really a capitalist country, how come there are so many SOEs? Isn't this a socialist pattern first seen in Russia and China?
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