Bureaucratic Quote by John James Cowperthwaite
“Over a wide field of our economy it is still the better course to rely on the nineteenth century's "hidden hand" than to thrust clumsy bureaucratic fingers into its sensitive mechanism. In particular, we cannot afford to damage its mainspring, freedom of competitive enterprise.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Economic Policy Address, Hong Kong, 1965
Free markets thrive when competition is left to operate without heavy bureaucratic interference.
In simple terms: Competition works best with minimal government.
Preserve market freedom.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- business regulation
- tax policy
- trade agreements
- innovation ecosystems
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Should some regulation be retained?
- What are the risks of too much freedom?
Over‑regulation can also protect against market failures.