Business Quote by P. J. O'Rourke
“There are lots of levels of fear and complaint about the government getting involved in business. First and foremost, of course, is incompetence.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Politics of Business, 1992
Government involvement in business often stems from incompetence, leading to fear and complaints among stakeholders.
In simple terms: Government meddling usually reflects poor competence, causing public fear.
Demand competence before policy intervention.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- corporate governance
- economic policy
- public sector reforms
- community meetings
- media commentary
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is all government involvement harmful?
- How can competence be ensured in public‑private partnerships?
Overemphasis on fear can obscure potential benefits of regulation.