Comments on: Hurricane Katrina and price gouging http://polyscience.org/2005/09/hurricane-katrina-and-price-gouging/ Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:17:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Rian http://polyscience.org/2005/09/hurricane-katrina-and-price-gouging/#comment-141 Rian Sat, 03 Sep 2005 02:39:44 +0000 http://polyscience.org/?p=87#comment-141 I don't believe that this is good enough, simply because the "bare minimum" varies from person to person depending on the material being rationed. Allowing a black market to blossom is an intriguing idea, though. I don’t believe that this is good enough, simply because the “bare minimum” varies from person to person depending on the material being rationed. Allowing a black market to blossom is an intriguing idea, though.

]]> By: Happysin http://polyscience.org/2005/09/hurricane-katrina-and-price-gouging/#comment-140 Happysin Fri, 02 Sep 2005 23:35:20 +0000 http://polyscience.org/?p=87#comment-140 Let me offer a suitable alternative. Official rationing and a black market. Everyone gets the bare minimum needed (provided those who set up rationing can do it effectively), and then those that need/want more, and are willing to pay a premium for it, can. It isn't legal in the strictest sense, but it allows for flexibility a full rationing system can't have, and it helps the worst off in a way pure market economics can't. Let me offer a suitable alternative. Official rationing and a black market.

Everyone gets the bare minimum needed (provided those who set up rationing can do it effectively), and then those that need/want more, and are willing to pay a premium for it, can.

It isn’t legal in the strictest sense, but it allows for flexibility a full rationing system can’t have, and it helps the worst off in a way pure market economics can’t.

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