Causes Quote by John Stuart Mill
“In all the more advanced communities the great majority of things are worse done by the intervention of government than the individuals most interested in the matter would do them, or cause them to be done, if left to themselves.”
About This Quote
Source Book: On Liberty by John Stuart Mill, 1859
Government intervention often worsens outcomes compared to individuals acting on their own expertise.
In simple terms: Government can make things worse than private effort.
Key Takeaway
Prefer private solutions when possible.
Themes
government
individualism
efficiency
policy
expertise
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- local business decisions
- community projects
- environmental management
- public services
Key Concepts
public choice
collective action
regulation
market failure
Questions to Reflect On
- When is government necessary?
- How can individuals be empowered?
A Different Perspective
Private action may lack coordination or resources.
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