The Hayekian argument against GDP calculations is not for double counting but against the misuse of GDP calculations from which double-counting has been removed.
"It is actually a net measure and purposely excludes 'intermediate goods' that are purchased to be used as inputs in producing other goods and services. It is a strictly value added figure... "In short, the GNP data exclude the critical intermediate stages of production. Advocates of this traditional approach do so because, they say, they wish to studiously avoid double counting... "Further, the net method (GNP) greatly exaggerates the role of consumption in the economy, giving the deceptive impression that most of the natinal output is in consumption goods rather than investment. Such thinking encourages economists and govt officials to for the misleading idea that consumer spending, being the largest section of the economy, must be stimulated in order to get the economy out a slump." Mark Skousen, The Structure of Production, p. 190 So on this basis Hayek argued against "spending economics", i.e. "anti-savings" policy (progressive taxation for unemployment insurance and public sector job creation, collective bargaining rights, higher minimum wages) that would presumably raise the consumption component of aggregate demand and therewith national income. The debate here is between Skousen and Robert Reich.
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