Look around, and you see everywhere the exertions and acts of individuals restricted, regulated, or promoted, on the principle of the common welfare.
Friedrich ListRead
Industry entirely left to itself, would soon fall to ruin, and a nation letting everything alone would commit suicide.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of governmental oversight in industry to prevent decline and promote growth.
Friedrich List's quote suggests that without regulation and support, industries would struggle to thrive and could collapse. By stating that a nation allowing complete freedom to industry would be committing suicide, he highlights the need for a balanced approach where government plays a crucial role in guiding and sustaining economic development for the greater good of society.
Themes
IndustryGovernmentRegulationEconomyDevelopment
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about economic policy, a politician might reference this quote to advocate for more government involvement in business.
More from Friedrich List
All quotes βIt is bad policy to regulate everything... where things may better regulate themselves and can be better promoted by private exertions; but it is no less bad policy to let those things alone which can only be promoted by interfering social power.
Friedrich ListRead
An individual, in promoting his own interest, may injure the public interest; a nation, in promoting the general welfare, may check the interest of a part of its members.
Friedrich ListRead
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