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Politics : Mainstream Politics and Economics
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Thehammer
To: koan who wrote (48536)7/12/2013 12:28:31 PM
From: TimF1 Recommendation   of 85487
 
I have read that Adam Smith believed man was better than he really is?

Only if you have a very pessamistic view of mankind. Among other things Smith said - "“People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.” He was not niave, he recognized that people would try to take advantage of other people. That was one of the reasons to be opposed to big government, as it gives them a channel to do so.

Government has to enforce people and industry, so they will not pour mercury into a river

Again that isn't government involving itself in commerce. Its government forbidding poisoning.

Involving itself in commerce is when it tries to direct commerce, or subsidize it, or penalize it, etc.

Even a very minimal government can create rules against dumping seriously toxic substances.
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