Among economist Thomas Sowell's many works is a book called A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles. In it, Sowell makes a point that, if we, as a society, would understand and embrace the differences, it would revolutionize the way we approach challenges. He wrote, "There are no solutions, only trade-offs." It seems like such a simple observation, but the implications of it permeate every aspect of life.
When we seek solutions, problem-solving becomes an all or nothing proposition. Often, we end up thinking of the solution in moral terms. If there is a right way, then any other course of action becomes the wrong way. We start to see our chosen course of action as good, and any opposition to that course as evil. Seeking one solution to the exclusion of any other closes the mind to possibilities. How many times have you heard a person who is trying to lose weight speak about eating in moral terms? We say "I was bad this weekend. I ate a cookie. Or "I was really good. I ordered a Diet Coke with my salad." This kind of binary thinking leads to feelings of guilt if the "solution" is not pursued with perfect focus and consistency.
We can see this idea in action in our own community. There's no denying that economic development is a critical issue that affects everyone. Some believe that economic prosperity can't happen unless we preserve the unique identity and heritage of our region. Others believe that economic prosperity can't happen unless we create an environment friendly to large-scale development.
There is a certain comfort to having an inflexible position on a given issue. Believing that one is engaged in righteous action feels good, and can often fortify a person's resolve in the face of adversity. Applying Sowell's maxim will probably not feel as good, because it can only be applied if you are willing to accept that your position might not be the correct one.
Examining trade-offs can be unsettling. It requires honesty and an open mind, which can stir up feelings of uncertainty. But it also forces us to engage in real self evaluation. If we look at trade-offs rather than solutions, we have to be truly honest about what we really want, and what we are willing to trade in order to obtain it.
To achieve real economic prosperity in Grant County, we have to decide what it is we really want. If our priority is to preserve our identity and heritage at the exclusion of everything else, we risk economic stagnation. The Gila Forest will draw in a certain amount of visitors, but visitors leave, and take their money with them. If we open our county to large-scale development, we will have increased economic opportunity for our residents, and the dependability, selection, and convenience one can expect from national retailers. In the process, we will lose some of what makes Grant County feel like home.
Somewhere in the middle of these two extremes is a trade-off that most people can accept, a situation where some big-box stores offer the advantages of price and selection, and smaller, family-run businesses give consumers the personal touch and sense of community that we have always enjoyed. It is up to us as a community to honestly assess our priorities and determine the price. As Sowell pointed out so eloquently in his book, economics is more about what we are willing to live with than it is about right and wrong.
