On Social Experiments

In human civilizations, we establish governments to organize and rule over society for the common good of the human population. In particular, new social policies/experiments are often instituted with very good intentions. In this connection, one is reminded of the famous saying:

THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS

The best well known example in US history of this saying is the “prohibition of alcohol sale and transportation during the early 20^th century (1920-1933)”. This law led to all kinds corruptions, criminal gangs, and social costs in US society as unintentional bad  consequences that the law was finally repealed. Alcohol production, sales, and consumption were left to the public volunteer efforts with the result that the social health and addiction costs to society are well managed and under control. This has produced the second famous saying:

IF YOU CANNOT FIGHT THEM, THEN JOIN THEM

In other words, making things illegal does not stop them. Left alone, humans often find reasonable solutions to problems of society. Instead, we should find ways to minimize their undesirable cost and help those who cannot help themselves.

Currently, the US is engaged again in debates and administration of the sale and distribution of various additive drugs such as Marijuana and Fentanyl. Different States have different laws governing the sale and possession of these drugs. Elections and voters on this issue are concerned with this topic. Once again, the applicability of the two sayings above dominates the concerns of the public and elections. The final resolutions are still complex and unclear at this point.