The Left has always called for government intervention in the economy to further their favored goals. Economic interventionists are now increasingly common on the right, particularly regarding targeted tariffs.

In Law & Liberty, David Hebert replies to Michael Lind’s recent piece in American Compass arguing for tariffs while acknowledging that they are taxes.

Hebert writes that Lind

gets both his history and economics wrong. Because of these errors, his policy recommendations are misguided and reflect an antiquated, pre-Adam Smith view of the world that promotes mercantilism, cronyism, and a “beggar thy neighbor” approach to international relations. These policies have been tried before, with the same result each time: the impoverishment of the nation and its people.

The U.S. economy used to have robust growth. A spate of social engineering and regulation to satisfy special-interest groups has enfeebled us. With both major parties now in the thrall of economic meddling, our chances of recovery grow dimmer.