Parable of the broken window

The parable of the broken window is a parable of the French economist Frédéric Bastiat, the " What you see and what is not seen " as part of the essay first appeared in 1850. The parable makes it clear that it is wrong to see in the destruction of goods or an increase in consistent overall benefits for society.

Content

The son of Hans Biedermann smashed a window pane. The father is angry because he has to pay six francs to replace the disk. Hans, however, comforted by those present so that the destruction would take advantage of the glazier, who will receive six francs. The conventional wisdom says " What would become of the glaziers if you never zerschlüge slices? ".

Interpretation

Bastiat agrees that the glazier benefit the six francs. This is what you see. Bastiat emphasizes that one should not forget that Hans Biedermann six francs instead of new shoes might have to spend. The shoemaker, the six francs thus no longer accrue, is that which can not be seen, as well as the benefits of new shoes, the missing Hans, because he must replace the disk.