---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In government-directed economies, the…"
description: "\"In government-directed economies, the collective takes priority over the individual. The moral ideal is equal results. That approach could not be furth..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/paul-ryan-869_approach_in-government-directed-economies-the-col_1068291.jpg"
---

#  In government-directed economies, the collective takes…

![“In government-directed economies, the collective takes priority over the individual. The moral ideal is equal results. That approach could not be further removed from the real world.” quote by Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/paul-ryan-869_approach_in-government-directed-economies-the-col_1068291.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/paul-ryan-869_approach_in-government-directed-economies-the-col_1068291.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/paul-ryan-869_approach_in-government-directed-economies-the-col_1068291.jpg)

> “In government-directed economies, the collective takes priority over the individual. The moral ideal is equal results. That approach could not be further removed from the real world.”

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote argues that centrally planned economies prioritize collective equality over individual freedom, but such ideals are unrealistic in practice.

**In simple terms:** Collective equality over individual freedom is impractical.

Key Takeaway

Recognize limits of forced equality.

Themes

economics politics individualism collectivism

Mood

critical reflective

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

- policy debates
- academic discussions
- public forums
- education curricula

Key Concepts

central planning morality realism

Questions to Reflect On

- How does forced equality affect innovation?
- Can individual rights coexist with collective goals?

A Different Perspective

Idealistic equality can ignore personal incentives and market dynamics.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Priorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priorities/) [Real world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-world/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [The challenge to our national economies and the collective economy of Europe will become - with the growth of China and the continuing productivity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hutton/the-challenge-to-our-national-economies-and-the-collective-economy-of/)

[John Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hutton/)

> [I believe and I say it is true Democratic feeling, that all the measures of the Government are directed to the purpose of making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-harrison/i-believe-and-i-say-it-is-true-democratic-feeling-that-all-the/)

[William Henry Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-harrison/)

> [I believe that all the measures of the Government are directed to the purpose of making the rich richer and the poor poorer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-harrison/i-believe-that-all-the-measures-of-the-government-are-directed-to-the/)

[William Henry Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-harrison/)

> [The legislation of the government has been directed rather to the protection of the rights of money and property than to the best good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susette-la-flesche/the-legislation-of-the-government-has-been-directed-rather-to-the/)

Susette La Flesche

> [All the measures of the Government are directed to the purpose of making the rich richer and the poor poorer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-harrison/all-the-measures-of-the-government-are-directed-to-the-purpose-of/)

[William Henry Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-harrison/)

> [Conscience is what? It is putting together a moral act and a moral ideal, and measuring the act by the ideal. It is putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyman-abbott/conscience-is-what-it-is-putting-together-a-moral-act-and-a-moral/)

[Lyman Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyman-abbott/)

> [In the soul of a Russian person there is always a drive toward some kind of lofty moral ideal, lofty moral values. That definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/in-the-soul-of-a-russian-person-there-is-always-a-drive-toward-some/)

[Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/)

> [Art is the indispensable medium for the communication of a moral ideal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/art-is-the-indispensable-medium-for-the-communication-of-a-moral-ideal/)

[Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/)

> [We have never stopped sin by passing laws; and in the same way, we are not going to take a great moral ideal and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/we-have-never-stopped-sin-by-passing-laws-and-in-the-same-way-we-are/)

[Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/)

> [ “it is the overcoming of egoism, the destroying of mean desires, the uplifting of the moral ideal, and the disclosing of inborn wisdom. \[FN#12\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaiten-nukariya/it-is-the-overcoming-of-egoism-the-destroying-of-mean-desires-the/)

[Kaiten Nukariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaiten-nukariya/)

> [The insistence on truthfulness does not disturb the freedom of the individual. The social obligation implied in Satyagraha turns the freedom of the individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goparaju-ramachandra-rao/the-insistence-on-truthfulness-does-not-disturb-the-freedom-of-the/)

[Goparaju Ramachandra Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goparaju-ramachandra-rao/)

> [The unit of effectiveness of education is not the individual but the group. An individual's moral values are primarily important for society as they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-kohlberg/the-unit-of-effectiveness-of-education-is-not-the-individual-but-the/)

[Lawrence Kohlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-kohlberg/)

> [When, in any ethical department, unity is attained between outer demands and inner desires, between nature and conscience, between the needs of society and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-key/when-in-any-ethical-department-unity-is-attained-between-outer/)

[Ellen Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-key/)

> [“But each one of us is guilty insofar as he remained inactive. The guilt of passivity is different. Impotence excuses; no moral law demands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-jaspers/but-each-one-of-us-is-guilty-insofar-as-he-remained-inactive-the/)

[Karl Jaspers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-jaspers/)

> [The main characteristic of collectivism is that it does not take notice of the individual's will and moral self-determination. In the light of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/the-main-characteristic-of-collectivism-is-that-it-does-not-take/)

[Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/)

## More by Paul Ryan

> [When we're done simplifying the tax code, getting the lobbyist carve outs our of the tax code, lowering our rates and letting people have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/when-we-re-done-simplifying-the-tax-code-getting-the-lobbyist-carve/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [Grow jobs. Get this economy growing. Raise wages. Simplify the tax system, so it's easy to comply with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/grow-jobs-get-this-economy-growing-raise-wages-simplify-the-tax/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [The tax code is 10 times the size of the Bible with none of the good news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/the-tax-code-is-10-times-the-size-of-the-bible-with-none-of-the-good/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [We want American families to feel more confident in life. We want the next generation to know that yes, the best days of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/we-want-american-families-to-feel-more-confident-in-life-we-want-the/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [Donald Trump is a pretty casual guy. He calls me Paul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/donald-trump-is-a-pretty-casual-guy-he-calls-me-paul/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [ What \[President Donald Trump\] is doing is taking away the executive overreach that President \[Barack\] Obama did which we thought exceeded his powers. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/what-president-donald-trump-is-doing-is-taking-away-the-executive/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [My dad died when I was young. He was a good and decent man. There are a few things he would say that have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/my-dad-died-when-i-was-young-he-was-a-good-and-decent-man-there-are-a/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [Millions of young Americans have graduated from college during the Obama presidency, ready to use their gifts and get moving in life. Half of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/millions-of-young-americans-have-graduated-from-college-during-the/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [When you take a look at the problems our country is facing, debt is No. 1. The math is downright scary and the credit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/when-you-take-a-look-at-the-problems-our-country-is-facing-debt-is-no/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [What I'm concerned about is endless borrowing, which is going to compromise our economy not only today but in the future. Because we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/what-i-m-concerned-about-is-endless-borrowing-which-is-going-to/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [We believe, as our founders did, that 'the pursuit of happiness' depends upon individual liberty; and individual liberty requires limited government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/we-believe-as-our-founders-did-that-the-pursuit-of-happiness-depends/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [If you’re going to criticize, you should propose,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/if-you-re-going-to-criticize-you-should-propose/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [I call crony capitalism, where you take money from successful small businesses, spend it in Washington on favored industries, on favored individuals, picking winners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/i-call-crony-capitalism-where-you-take-money-from-successful-small/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [Conventional wisdom on government's role in inequality often has it backwards. Tax reforms have resulted in a more progressive federal income tax; government transfer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/conventional-wisdom-on-government-s-role-in-inequality-often-has-it/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

> [Let the Democrates go on making its case for more government control over every aspect of our lives. More taxes to pay. More debt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/let-the-democrates-go-on-making-its-case-for-more-government-control/)

[Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

[Explore all 345 Paul Ryan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/)

## More Approach quotes

> [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [I'm in a business where there's complete anarchy. You can't control it - you can only react to it. The control that people traditionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sorrell/i-m-in-a-business-where-there-s-complete-anarchy-you-can-t-control-it/)

[Martin Sorrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sorrell/)

> [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/)

[Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/)

> [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/)

[Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/)

> [One of the things I regret about not putting in that book or I think it's there but I didn't really elaborate on it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-warner/one-of-the-things-i-regret-about-not-putting-in-that-book-or-i-think/)

[Brad Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-warner/)

> [Ideal for the child and society in the best of times, Rudolf Steiner's brilliant process of education is critically needed and profoundly relevant now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-chilton-pearce/ideal-for-the-child-and-society-in-the-best-of-times-rudolf-steiner-s/)

[Joseph Chilton Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-chilton-pearce/)

> [I don't have any particular method, my approach is very simple. I try to understand the emotional graph of the character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pratik-gandhi/i-don-t-have-any-particular-method-my-approach-is-very-simple-i-try/)

[Pratik Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pratik-gandhi/)

> [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Everything, every part that you approach has to be somehow rooted in yourself. You have to somehow root everything so that it's not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judi-dench/everything-every-part-that-you-approach-has-to-be-somehow-rooted-in/)

[Judi Dench](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judi-dench/)

> [Literature transforms and intensifies ordinary language, deviates systematically from everyday speech. If you approach me at a bus stop and murmur Thou still unravished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/literature-transforms-and-intensifies-ordinary-language-deviates/)

[Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/)

> [The whole secret to mastering the game of golf - and this applies to the beginner as well as the pro - is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-palmer/the-whole-secret-to-mastering-the-game-of-golf-and-this-applies-to/)

[Arnold Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-palmer/)

> [The essence of Christianity...is an ever-new encounter with... the God who speaks to us, who approaches us and who befriends us!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/the-essence-of-christianity-is-an-ever-new-encounter-with-the-god-who/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [Like a morning dream, life becomes more and more bright the longer we live, and the reason of everything appears more clear. What has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul/like-a-morning-dream-life-becomes-more-and-more-bright-the-longer-we/)

[Jean Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul/)

> [What begins as a Utopian vision, always - always - ends in bloodshed. Because you have to force a utopia on a free people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/what-begins-as-a-utopian-vision-always-always-ends-in-bloodshed/)

[Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/)

> [The only two good words that can be said for a hurricane are that it gives sufficient warning of its approach, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-only-two-good-words-that-can-be-said-for-a-hurricane-are-that-it/)

[Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/)

[Browse all 3,949 Approach quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "In government-directed economies, the collective takes priority over the individual. The moral ideal is equal results. That approach could not be further removed from the real world.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Paul Ryan"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/in-government-directed-economies-the-collective-takes-priority-over/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Approach"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/in-government-directed-economies-the-collective-takes-priority-over/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/paul-ryan-869_approach_in-government-directed-economies-the-col_1068291.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/paul-ryan-869_approach_in-government-directed-economies-the-col_1068291.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/paul-ryan-869_approach_in-government-directed-economies-the-col_1068291.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In government-directed economies, the collective takes priority over the individual. The moral ideal is…” — Paul Ryan",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Paul Ryan",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In government-directed economies, the collective takes...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/in-government-directed-economies-the-collective-takes-priority-over/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/in-government-directed-economies-the-collective-takes-priority-over/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
