Crosses Quote by Bryan Caplan
“The use of force is easy to rationalize in terms of basic economics. 'We should make them PAY for what they've done!' It's just the law of demand: raise the price of crossing us, and fewer people will cross us. Make the price another Hiroshima, and perhaps the quantity demanded will fall to zero.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on economics of conflict, 2020
Violence is often justified by treating opponents as a cost to be priced, assuming higher penalties will deter aggression.
In simple terms: People rationalize force by treating it like a market price.
Key Takeaway
Consider non‑violent alternatives before imposing costs.
Themes
ethics
economics
conflict
policy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
policy
When to use this quote
- military strategy
- law enforcement
- public policy debates
- international negotiations
Key Concepts
cost‑benefit analysis
deterrence
human cost
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ethical to treat human life as an economic variable?
- What alternatives exist to deterrence through cost?
A Different Perspective
Assumes rational actors and ignores moral implications of harm.
![“[The Community's] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it is always upon nothingness that God is pleased to rear His works. If at any day we accomplish some good here, the glory will certainly be His alone, since…” quote by Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b8/theodore-guerin-54729_accomplish_the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give_7176.jpg)
