Politicians love to make plans for us. But the best of life happens when politicians just leave us alone.
Economists call the idea “spontaneous order.”
Just as a school of fish needs no leader, most of us-in most of life figure things out on our own.
Even in my hometown New York City, where authoritarian politicians constantly impose new rules, spontaneous order is occasionally allowed.
A perfect example: Central Park.
When government ran the park, it was dirty, dangerous and the grass was dead.
Politicians let go a little, allowing a nonprofit conservancy [disclosure: I’m a director], manage Central Park.
The Conservancy does a better job. Now the park is clean and safe.
The video gives more examples of spontaneous order.
