[Nullabillity]

> but didn't find new work for people to do, then all that happens is you have a lot of people out of work, which is in itself a waste.

Only if you believe people exist to serve the economy, rather than the other way around.

[imagist]

I agree that the economy exists to serve people. The fact that the economy demands people get jobs in order to be served and then doesn't give them jobs should be seen as a damning case where the economy isn't performing the function for which it exists.

[skybrian]

If we had something like basic income then maybe you'd have a point. But spending a lot of time looking for a job and not finding one is certainly a waste. Deferring expenses (like going without medical care) is a waste. And crime causes lots of waste. So, back to broken windows again.