Enivironmental Regulation and Basic Economic Freedoms
Enivironmental Regulation and Basic Economic Freedoms
“Do Environmental Regulations Violate Basic Economic Freedoms?” This is the question posed and debated by the authors of each position taken. Which issue is more prevalent – the progress of our financial economy through business ownership or the protection of our natural environment by the dictation of regulations in which Americans must abide by? Can both viewpoints exist symbiotically? Does government intervention, in an effort to preserve our ecosystem, negatively affect business owners? It would seem that at times, this is the case; however, businesses do not always conduct their affairs with consideration of the possible or probable implications their actions may pose on the environment. As a whole, Americans understand the environmental issues that surround us on a basic level. However, do we understand the underlying, fundamental causes that contribute to the more obvious issues that we are presented with? The often negligent or misdirected acts that are committed by businesses and the public would suggest this is not the case. Furthermore, the American naiveté is perpetuated by the onslaught of attacks and inaccurate information that is released concerning our nation’s environmental state of health.
John Shanahan, a former VP and counsel for The Alexis de Tocqueville Institution in Arlington, Virginia represents the position that environmental regulations stifle American economic autonomy. The Tocqueville Institution’s mission statement declares, “Our principles guide the selection of which issues are critical to the advancement of freedom – but we don’t rush to judgment about which means will be most effective in producing it” (Internet). A respectable statement in principle; however, after reading Shanahan’s argument, it is obvious that his position is biased. Shanahan concurs with the assertion that environmental dilemmas are present in our nation, but does not feel that we should express any sense of urgency in rectifying our situation. My interpretation of this is that one should not acknowledge a detrimental issue’s presence, yet at the same time, deny the need for preventative measures to be taken. Shanahan seems to maintain a neutral position with the statement, “The challenge is how to achieve both a strong economy and a healthy environment…what Americans really want is a high quality of life.” However, his argument leads us in a different direction.
Paul...