Abstract: The article discusses the principle of the malevolent hiding hand and the planning fallacy writ large. Particular focus is given on economist Albert O. Hirschman's ideas on social-scientific laws. Hirchman believes that social planners tend to be unrealistically optimistic, particularly in underdeveloped nations. He adds that their neglect of bad surprises is countered by a much happier surprise. He also believes that the hiding hand provides a spur and a remedy in the form of mechanism that makes the risk-averter take risks.