Laissez-faire capitalism's view of the government can be summarized as follows:
- The government should not have involvement in the economy beyond general security.
In laissez-faire capitalism, the belief is that markets should operate with minimal interference from the government. This means that the government's role should be limited to maintaining law and order, protecting property rights, and ensuring national security. The idea is that free markets, if left to operate without government intervention, will lead to the most efficient allocation of resources and the greatest overall prosperity.
Laissez-faire capitalism advocates argue that excessive government involvement in the economy, such as enacting policies to protect industries from competition or guaranteeing fair wages and working conditions, can distort market mechanisms and hinder economic growth. Instead, they believe that a hands-off approach by the government is essential for fostering innovation, competition, and economic freedom.
By allowing businesses to operate with minimal regulation and interference, laissez-faire capitalism proponents argue that individuals and society as a whole benefit from increased economic opportunities, lower prices, and higher levels of overall prosperity.