Body counts

[michael perelman]

Brad DeLong has mentioned body counts several times.  Some people have
correctly questioned his figures.  I want to add that if we set out to do such
a questionable accounting, we have to put in both sides of the ledger.  Look,
I don't like Stalin -- I don't know why I even have to make such a statement
any more than I need to say I don't beat my wife or molest children -- but the
outcome did save lives also.  In the case of the USSR, as Doug mentioned,
mortality rates fell considerably.  In the case of Indonesia, the
intensification of inequality undoubtably cost lives.

Again, I am not recommended that we choose our preferred form of government on
the basis of such accounting.

--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu