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CATO INSTITUTE: A public policy research foundation that contributes to the public policy debate inspired by the principles of limited government, individual liberty, free markets, and peace. The Institute is named for Cato's Letters, which are 144 libertarian essays written by John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon and first published from 1720 to 1723, condemning tyranny and advancing principles of liberty. These two Englishmen were inspired by Cato the Younger (95-46 B.C.) a Roman statesman who had of the reputation for honesty and incorruptibility in ancient times. The Cato Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 1977 by Edward H. Crane and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
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                           FALLACY OF DIVISION: The logical fallacy of arguing that what is true for the whole is also true for the parts. In the study of economics, this takes the form of assuming that what works for the aggregate, or macroeconomy, also works for parts of the economy, such as households or businesses. The contrasting fallacy is the fallacy of composition. The fallacy of division, together with the fallacy of composition, highlights the difference between macroeconomics and microeconomics. Macroeconomics operates according one set of laws and principles, while microeconomics operates according to another set. Assuming what works for the aggregate economy also works for parts of the economy leads to the fallacy of division.For example, during economic bad times (recession), the appropriate action for the Federal government (as "caretaker" of the aggregate economy) is to increase spending and reduce taxes. A recessionary period is not the time for government to act prudently, to save, to set aside extra funds for a rainy day. However, should a family or business try to operate in a similar manner, then they are bound to encounter problems, and to commit the fallacy of division. Saving less and spending more during a recession can be disastrous at the microeconomic family level. The aggregate economy is a complex system comprised of smaller microeconomic components. An analogy is the human body. Individuals and firms make up the aggregate economy like cells and molecules make up the human body. Rules that apply to entire body do not apply to the cells. Rules that apply to entire macroeconomy do not apply to the firms, households, markets, and industries. What is true at the macroeconomic level is not necessarily true at the microeconomic level. What is true for the whole is not necessarily true for the parts.
Recommended Citation:FALLACY OF DIVISION, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2018. [Accessed: June 19, 2018].
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A half gallon milk jug holds about $50 in pennies.
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"The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital. " -- Joe Paterno, football coach
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AFBD
Association of Futures Brokers and Dealers (UK)
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