Able Quote by Reinhold Niebuhr
“Adam Smith's was a real universalism in intent. Laissez Faire was intended to establish a world community as well as a natural harmony of interests within each nation... But the "children of darkness" were able to make good use of his creed. A dogma which was intended to guarantee the economic freedom of the individual became the "ideology" of vast corporate structures of a later period of capitalism, used by them, and still used, to prevent a proper political control of their power.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Moral Man and Immoral Society, 1932
Smith’s ideal of universal liberty was co‑opted by corporations, turning economic freedom into a tool for power concentration and limiting democratic oversight.
In simple terms: Economic freedom was twisted into corporate control.
Key Takeaway
Guard against corporate capture of liberty.
Themes
politics
economics
power
ethics
freedom
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- regulation debates
- corporate governance
- public policy
- activism
Key Concepts
liberalism
institutional capture
public interest
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure economic freedom serves the public good?
- What mechanisms can curb corporate overreach?
A Different Perspective
Corporate interests can still dominate despite legal frameworks.
![“Never was it [Capitalism] imposed on life as a system, or at all. It grew out of life, not all at once but gradually, and is therefore one of the great natural designs. When it was found and identified by such men as Adam Smith, who wrote its bible, and Karl Marx, who wrote its obituary too soon…” quote by Garet Garrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19c/garet-garrett-20447_adam_never-was-it-capitalism-imposed-on-life_2956756.jpg)
