Behaviour Quote by Oliver E. Williamson
“Opportunism is self interest seeking with guile often involving subtle forms of deceit, especially calculated efforts to mislead, distort, disguise, obfuscate, or otherwise confuse. This vastly complicates the problems of economic organisation. Plainly if it were not for opportunism all behaviour could be rule governed”
About This Quote
Source Book: Markets and Hierarchies by Oliver E. Williamson, 1975
Opportunism is self‑interest pursued through deceit, complicating economic organization.
In simple terms: Deceitful self‑interest makes markets harder.
Key Takeaway
Guard against hidden agendas.
Themes
economics
ethics
trust
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
theoretical
practical
When to use this quote
- contract drafting
- regulatory design
- business negotiations
- policy making
Key Concepts
transaction cost economics
information asymmetry
strategic behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms best deter deceit?
- How can trust be rebuilt after opportunistic acts?
A Different Perspective
Mitigating opportunism can be costly and imperfect.
![“[On Richard M. Nixon:] The Republican nominee would be far worse than another Eisenhower - he is Tricky Dicky of the first magnitude. His entire record is one of opportunism. I cannot feel that there is the remotest sincerity in him, and that clearly he would be the tool of the highest bidder…” quote by Marguerite Rawalt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bc6/marguerite-rawalt-66654_big-business_on-richard-m-nixon-the-republican-nomine_826446.jpg)
