Around Quote by Robert Hass
“The market doesn't make communities. Markets make networks of self-interested individuals, and they work as long as there's more than enough to go around.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Poetry of Economics, 2012
Markets create networks of self‑interested people, not cohesive communities, and function only when resources are abundant.
In simple terms: Markets are about individuals, not community.
Key Takeaway
Ensure resource abundance.
Themes
economics
community
individualism
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- urban planning
- social policy
- resource management
Key Concepts
network theory
resource allocation
self‑interest
Questions to Reflect On
- How can communities thrive within market systems?
- What safeguards are needed?
A Different Perspective
Abundance is rarely guaranteed; scarcity can undermine markets.
