Bribe Quote by James M. Buchanan
“We want to limit the exploitation of the fiscal capacity of the richer regions by keeping down the rate of immigration to a level that would be meaningful and efficient. One way to do that is to have a scheme of equalization which essential bribes people to stay in the poorer regions.”
About This Quote
Source Policy paper: Fiscal Federalism and Regional Equality, 1978
The author proposes limiting immigration and using equalization payments to keep richer regions from draining resources, but this raises ethical concerns.
In simple terms: Control migration and subsidize poorer regions.
Key Takeaway
Design fair regional fiscal policies.
Themes
economics
public policy
regional inequality
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
academic
policy
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- regional development
- immigration debates
- social welfare programs
Key Concepts
fiscal capacity
migration economics
Questions to Reflect On
- Is limiting migration ethically justifiable?
- How can equalization be made fair without coercion?
A Different Perspective
Restrictive policies can harm labor markets.
![“Like any developing country, it has an inequality of wealth. In the Chinese case, it is particularly [pronounced] by the fact that they decided they couldn't make the whole country move forward simultaneously, so they've started region by region. So the interior regions are much less well off than…” quote by Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/273/henry-a-kissinger-1068_cases_like-any-developing-country-it-has-an-in_1776200.jpg)
