Liberty, US Infrastructure, Hayek and Keynes
I ventured out to figure out a little of Austin yesterday. I am gradually beginning to understand that figuring out directions is not so much pain here afterall. It is a grid structure - with appropriate directions everywhere. You just need to get onto a freeway and keep an eye for exits - and be sure of which exit to take.
Ravi (a UT, Austin alum, and one of the smarter guys I have known) sent me some ideas on places I could go check out. So I went to UT, and places around - supposedly the downtown of Austin (called Guadalupe). This was the first time in Austin that I actually saw people walking on the streets. It was like any other place. What struck me was this HUGE British flag flowing down the balcony of an apartment right in the middle of the most happening street of the city - and no one seemed to care.
That's what I admire about the US. The concept of Liberty is in its most mature state in this country. You can speak the language you want, practice the religion you want, proclaim the love to any country, marry the person you want (regardless of the sex), pursue the weirdest interest, eat the food you like, chuck everything and be your own, there is freedom to do whatever – and to everyone that comes to this place. Your freedom is respected in so far as you respect the other person's freedom.
The only historical place that I went to see, while in NY, was the Statue of Liberty - and it truly seems to summarize the attitude of the country. Liberty – Enlightening the World. It stands on the mouth of the Hudson welcoming all that come to this land. (The thing I really like about Liberty is the breaking free from chains - there is a broken chain at the left leg of the statue) It kind of symbolizes the concept of the great American dream – “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by God, Creator, with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Some interesting stuff I picked up about this ‘dream’ from the Internet: http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/publications/sermons/650704_The_American_Dream.html
I am not saying that the concept is perfect here - it has its own share of pain and trouble and wackiness. But it is better than any other place on this planet – atleast what this country stands for is inspiring. This country is not known to give birth to a lot of great intellectuals, but it is the ability to attract the best in every field that really catches my fancy.
Later in the day, one of my ex-bosses called me over to this dining and entertainment place called Dave and Busters. We played a couple of video games, and hung around examining the place for a while. I am sure we will soon have similar places coming up in India – there is a place where adults can have quite meals, there is a pub, and there is this gaming zone with all sorts of fancy games. The idea being that families can come here, and there is something to cater to the needs of every one in the family – i.e., captures the entire ‘wallet’ of a family. Thereafter, we went to another similar concept (I cant recall the name, chek o cheese or something), just that it is more targeted toward families with much younger kids.
While on the way, I got to learn a couple of interesting things. For one, bowling alleys, malls etc were a rage in the US in the 60’s just as they are currently in India. That was the time when the concept of free markets was catching on in the US and the middle class was beginning to get more affluent, and were upwardly mobile – exactly what is happening in India these days.
Another interesting point - this one about the infrastructure in the US: the basic road structure here is mind blowing – huge roads, complex flyovers, smooth expressways – running right through the city – city after city. Even the interiors of the city, the most uninhabited places, have really smooth and reasonably broad roads. The airports (domestic/international) are massive and very well done. All this was constructed in the 1930’s and 1940’s, the period following the great depression. This was when Franklin Roosevelt backed a new set of economic and social measures (called the Second New Deal). The idea was to counter widespread unemployment with work. So it was: buildings, roads, airports, dams and schools were constructed all across the country. (Remember John M Keynes, ISB’s macro eco prof KK, and the notion of increasing Govt spending to stabilize economy). I think Keynes did his share of good, coz this infrastructure is what keeps the US up on its feet ready to embrace free-markets in the truest Hayek sense!
Ravi (a UT, Austin alum, and one of the smarter guys I have known) sent me some ideas on places I could go check out. So I went to UT, and places around - supposedly the downtown of Austin (called Guadalupe). This was the first time in Austin that I actually saw people walking on the streets. It was like any other place. What struck me was this HUGE British flag flowing down the balcony of an apartment right in the middle of the most happening street of the city - and no one seemed to care.
That's what I admire about the US. The concept of Liberty is in its most mature state in this country. You can speak the language you want, practice the religion you want, proclaim the love to any country, marry the person you want (regardless of the sex), pursue the weirdest interest, eat the food you like, chuck everything and be your own, there is freedom to do whatever – and to everyone that comes to this place. Your freedom is respected in so far as you respect the other person's freedom.
The only historical place that I went to see, while in NY, was the Statue of Liberty - and it truly seems to summarize the attitude of the country. Liberty – Enlightening the World. It stands on the mouth of the Hudson welcoming all that come to this land. (The thing I really like about Liberty is the breaking free from chains - there is a broken chain at the left leg of the statue) It kind of symbolizes the concept of the great American dream – “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by God, Creator, with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Some interesting stuff I picked up about this ‘dream’ from the Internet: http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/publications/sermons/650704_The_American_Dream.html
I am not saying that the concept is perfect here - it has its own share of pain and trouble and wackiness. But it is better than any other place on this planet – atleast what this country stands for is inspiring. This country is not known to give birth to a lot of great intellectuals, but it is the ability to attract the best in every field that really catches my fancy.
Later in the day, one of my ex-bosses called me over to this dining and entertainment place called Dave and Busters. We played a couple of video games, and hung around examining the place for a while. I am sure we will soon have similar places coming up in India – there is a place where adults can have quite meals, there is a pub, and there is this gaming zone with all sorts of fancy games. The idea being that families can come here, and there is something to cater to the needs of every one in the family – i.e., captures the entire ‘wallet’ of a family. Thereafter, we went to another similar concept (I cant recall the name, chek o cheese or something), just that it is more targeted toward families with much younger kids.
While on the way, I got to learn a couple of interesting things. For one, bowling alleys, malls etc were a rage in the US in the 60’s just as they are currently in India. That was the time when the concept of free markets was catching on in the US and the middle class was beginning to get more affluent, and were upwardly mobile – exactly what is happening in India these days.
Another interesting point - this one about the infrastructure in the US: the basic road structure here is mind blowing – huge roads, complex flyovers, smooth expressways – running right through the city – city after city. Even the interiors of the city, the most uninhabited places, have really smooth and reasonably broad roads. The airports (domestic/international) are massive and very well done. All this was constructed in the 1930’s and 1940’s, the period following the great depression. This was when Franklin Roosevelt backed a new set of economic and social measures (called the Second New Deal). The idea was to counter widespread unemployment with work. So it was: buildings, roads, airports, dams and schools were constructed all across the country. (Remember John M Keynes, ISB’s macro eco prof KK, and the notion of increasing Govt spending to stabilize economy). I think Keynes did his share of good, coz this infrastructure is what keeps the US up on its feet ready to embrace free-markets in the truest Hayek sense!
posted by Animesh Kumar at Monday, January 16, 2006
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