I promise this will be my last knee-jerk crosspost of material from Marginal Revolution. There’s so much of it and it’s such great quality. But today, Tyler gives us the economists-eye view of a question that has plagued Desi’s for generations – Marginal Revolution: Should you give money to beggars? –

In Calcutta I confront this question every time my cab stops. Put aside the usual debate about selfishness and altruism, assume you will give something away. To whom should it go? Why not give it to the gentleman sleeping under a piece of cardboard who is poor but not begging?

Tyler’s answer elegantly waltzes between Game Theory, Public Choice, and classical economics all in the space of less than 200 words. Fantastic.