Smith, WN I.x.c.27, p. 145 "People of the same trade seldom meet
together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a
conspiracy against the publick, or in some contrivance to raise prices.
It is impossible to prevent such meetings, by any law which either could
be executed, or would be consistent with liberty and justice. But though
the law cannot hinder people of the same trade from assembling together,
it ought to do nothing to facilitate such assemblies."
On Fri, Dec 08, 2000 at 12:12:23PM -0500, Max Sawicky wrote:
> I don't ordinarily browse through WoN, but
> I was looking for a quote I remembered because
> I was to debate Steve Moore from the
> Cato Institute in front of a hundred or so
> right-wing state legislators (ALEC, for the
> cognoscenti).
>
> It's the one where Smith says when merchants
> get together they will lie cheat and steal and
> anything else to gain advantage. Can anyone
> give me the citation?
>
> Interestingly, in the debate on state budgeting,
> I raised the issue of excessive spending on
> corrections because of failed policies re:
> mandatory minimum sentencing, the war on
> drugs, etc., and Steve very strongly
> seconded me on that one.
>
> mbs
>
>
> Adam Smith, obviously.
>
> At 06:21 PM 12/7/00 -0500, you wrote:
> >Who said it? mbs
>
--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
