Complexes Quote by Leonard Read
“Is it not obvious that the more complex an economy, the more certainly will governmental control of productive effort exert a retarding influence?”
About This Quote
The quote argues that as economies become more intricate, government intervention in production tends to slow progress.
In simple terms: Complex economies face slower growth under state control.
Key Takeaway
State control hinders economic dynamism.
Themes
Economic complexity
Government intervention
Productivity
Economic growth
Regulation
Mood
Critical
Analytical
Type
Observation
Economic commentary
When to use this quote
- Policy debates
- Business strategy meetings
- Academic lectures
- Think‑tank reports
Key Concepts
Economic theory
Public policy
Practical Applications
- Designing deregulation reforms
- Assessing regulatory impact studies
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms allow government action to improve productivity?
- When does regulation become a net benefit versus a burden?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that strategic government involvement can correct market failures and promote stability, potentially enhancing long‑term growth.
![“The solution to this problem [welfare-statism] must take a positive form: the restoration of a faith in what free men can accomplish.” quote by Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/456/leonard-read-14543_accomplish_the-solution-to-this-problem-welfare-sta_46640.jpg)
![“[S]tatism is but socialized dishonesty; it is feathering the nests of some with feathers coercively plucked from others - on the grand scale. There is no moral difference between the act of a pickpocket and the progressive income tax or any other social program.” quote by Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a3e/leonard-read-14543_corruption_s-tatism-is-but-socialized-dishonesty-it_511252.jpg)
