- Sep 12, 2008
- 14,201
- 3,567
I was discussing recent events with a lib friend, and I was noticing that his views on why we shouldn't trust businessmen are the same as mine why we shouldn't trust too much government power: These guys are too powerful, too corrupt, too venial, all too human.
I have to agree with him that businessmen as a class are normal human beings. Folks who will try to get the most out of you for the least out of them. As are government officials rational actors (or more precisely somewhat rational actors most of the time, at least when it comes to their own self interest)
My personal view is that businessmen, as bad as they are, do not have the authority to do anything to us... our only interaction with them is voluntary on our part. Political power is exactly opposite. They have power over us whether we like it or not. Restraints on political authority are important because any authority any human has over any other human is subject to abuse
I have to agree with him that businessmen as a class are normal human beings. Folks who will try to get the most out of you for the least out of them. As are government officials rational actors (or more precisely somewhat rational actors most of the time, at least when it comes to their own self interest)
My personal view is that businessmen, as bad as they are, do not have the authority to do anything to us... our only interaction with them is voluntary on our part. Political power is exactly opposite. They have power over us whether we like it or not. Restraints on political authority are important because any authority any human has over any other human is subject to abuse