The doctrine of laissez-faire in the mid-nineteenth century essentially allowed three functions for the government: first, maintaining the external defense of the country; second, providing for the internal order and security of persons; and third, possibly, providing for minimal public amenities.... Criminalization and punishment became, undisputedly, the most legitimate and competent task of the government. There, for sure, government intervention was proper, necessary, legitimate, and competent. There, natural orderliness had to be replaced by governmental ordering.


p. 37 - The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order (2011)

Bernard Harcourt Quotes

The doctrine of laissez-faire in the mid-nineteenth century essentially allowed three functions for the government: first, maintaining the external...

The doctrine of laissez-faire in the mid-nineteenth century essentially allowed three functions for the government: first, maintaining the external...

The doctrine of laissez-faire in the mid-nineteenth century essentially allowed three functions for the government: first, maintaining the external...

The doctrine of laissez-faire in the mid-nineteenth century essentially allowed three functions for the government: first, maintaining the external...