At a time when there is some tension between short-term economic concerns and slightly longer-term environmental concerns the Green Party of Canada deserves great credit for the economic policy posted in its website. At least they have a policy and are providing something for debate.
The party's two main economic goals are efficiency and “get the prices right”. I believe these are excellent goals as their achievement would help deal with many environmental problems.
However, one must take issue with the greens over how to achieve these goals. The greens would use taxes and subsidies to change priorities in our economy. If all the policies proposed on their website were implemented there would have to be a massive increase in government involvement in the economy. But the Soviets, with their central planning, demonstrated it is difficult if not impossible for governments to get the prices right and without that you cannot have efficiency.
Here are some possible alternate policies which would help to achieve an efficient economy and get the prices right.
Subsidy money should be given to consumers rather than producers.
Taxation should be to finance government rather than to control economic activity.
Unilaterally declare genuine free trade – no tariffs or export taxes or subsidies.
Require producers to provide complete information about their products and services. (The greens' policy takes a step in this direction)
Repeal patent and copyright legislation or at least shorten the protection time.
Implementation of these policies would would increase economic efficiency, help top get the prices right and also transfer decision making from government to individuals.
The Green Party of Canada economic policy can be viewed at: http://www.greenparty.ca/en/policy/visiongreen/partone
artp
The Justice, Economics and Environment weblog
http://artp.typepad.com/jee/
