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Single Idea 7228

[from 'On Liberty' by John Stuart Mill, in 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / a. Government ]

Full Idea

Government power should be restricted because things are often done better by individuals.

Gist of Idea

Individuals often do things better than governments

Source

John Stuart Mill (On Liberty [1857], Ch.5)

Book Reference

Mill,John Stuart: 'Utilitarianism (including On Liberty etc)', ed/tr. Warnock,Mary [Fontana 1962], p.243


A Reaction

This contains some truth, but it is obvious that innumerable things can be done better by governments, and also (and more importantly) that innumerable other good things might be done by governments which individuals can't be bothered to do.