Decisions made by a government can have harmful unintended consequences, called “iatrogenic effects”. The media might celebrate a government in a developing country for declaring it will confiscate the land owned by wealthy foreign countries for redistribution to farmers. In reality, years elapse between the announcement and confiscation, during which the owner neglects the land. By the time it is seized, it will be in poor condition. There is a political currency to be gained in making threats to confiscate the land while ignoring the harms.