Christopher Coyne on Exporting Democracy after War

Free Trade

Christopher Coyne argues that free trade serves as a powerful alternative to military intervention, fostering global cooperation and integration. He suggests that allowing countries access to Western markets can expose them to the values and ideals of a free society, promoting self-determined freedom rather than imposed democracy 1. Coyne emphasizes that a free society thrives where coercion is minimal, and trade can lead to long-term stability and cooperation without the need for force 2.

Giving someone the option to trade with you doesn't mean that they will. It also doesn't mean that you'll get a good outcome. But it's my contention that non-intervention and free trade is the best alternative out of an admittedly imperfect set of alternatives.

--- Christopher Coyne

This approach contrasts with the coercive methods often used in post-conflict settings, highlighting the potential benefits of economic integration over military presence.

   

Economic Influence

Coyne critiques the efforts to prop up weak states, arguing that such interventions often empower corrupt governments rather than benefiting citizens. He suggests that allowing these states to collapse might lead to more organic and sustainable development 3. Coyne highlights the bipartisan failures in centrally planning democratic institutions, using Somalia and Haiti as examples where top-down interventions have consistently failed 4.

We can intervene, we can pull the strings here and there and generate better outcomes. But when we recognize the limits on our knowledge of how to go about doing this, when we recognize unintended consequences, when we recognize these public choice issues that you raised before, I think we should be extremely skeptical of our ability to intervene and manipulate outcomes toward a desirable end.

--- Christopher Coyne

This skepticism underscores the challenges of using economic policies to support rebuilding efforts in post-conflict settings.

   

Aid Challenges

The use of economic aid and incentives in post-conflict settings often leads to unintended consequences, as Coyne explains. He notes that foreign aid can fail due to a lack of proper incentives and information, as seen in Iraq, where initial optimism about its potential for democracy was misplaced 5. Coyne also discusses the humanitarian aid dilemma, where aid intended to be neutral is perceived as taking sides, exacerbating conflicts rather than resolving them 6.

In most cases, the countries that receive aid don't have the incentive to use it correctly.

--- Christopher Coyne

These challenges highlight the complexity of using aid as a tool for development and the importance of understanding local dynamics and incentives.