Decades ago, economist Bruce Yandle observed that local bans on alcoholic beverage sales enjoyed support from groups with antithetical values: moral crusaders (Baptists) and lawbreaking opportunists (bootleggers). Similar ironic political coalitions have since been noted in numerous pro-regulation campaigns past and present, including recent calls for regulating the digital economy in Italy.
Carlo Stagnaro is Co-Director of Istituto Bruno Leoni, Italys free market think tank.