Without exception all political parties promise their supporters a higher real income. There is no difference in this respect between nationalists and internationalists and between the supporters of a market economy and the advocates of either socialism or interventionism. If a party asks its supporters to make sacrifices for its cause, it always explains these sacrifices as the necessary temporary means for the attainment of the ultimate goal, the improvement of the material well-being of its members. Each party considers it as an insidious plot against its prestige and its survival if somebody ventures to question the capacity of its projects to make the group members more prosperous. Each party regards with a deadly hatred the economists embarking upon such a critique. Ludwig Von Mises
About This Quote

This quote highlights the tendency of politicians and political parties to promise their supporters a higher real income. The idea is that they will get more money in the future, which will improve the quality of life for everyone. The problem is that there is no guarantee that this higher income will come to pass. In fact, economists have shown that it is unlikely that people will experience any more wealth after a politician or political party gets into office. Also, while economic growth can benefit everyone in some way, it does not necessarily lead to a higher standard of living for everyone.

Source: Human Action: A Treatise On Economics

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