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The great fear that hung over the business community in…

“The great fear that hung over the business community in the 1970s was death by regulation, and the great goal of the conservative movement, as it rose to triumph in the 1980s, was to remove that threat - to keep OSHA, the EPA, and the FTC from choking off entrepreneurship with their infernal…” quote by Thomas Frank
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“The great fear that hung over the business community in the 1970s was death by regulation, and the great goal of the conservative movement, as it rose to triumph in the 1980s, was to remove that threat - to keep OSHA, the EPA, and the FTC from choking off entrepreneurship with their infernal meddling in the marketplace.”

Thomas Frank

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The 1970s business fear of regulation led conservatives to aim for deregulation to protect entrepreneurship from government overreach.

In simple terms: Regulation feared, deregulation pursued.

Key Takeaway

Support policies that balance safety and freedom.

Themes

politics economics regulation

Mood

critical analytical

Type

political economic

When to use this quote

  • policy making
  • business strategy
  • public debate
  • legislative reform

Key Concepts

free market government oversight entrepreneurship

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is deregulation always beneficial?
  • How to protect innovation while ensuring safety?
A Different Perspective

Risk of neglecting consumer/environmental protections.

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