Difference between revisions of "Invisible hand"
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:"[B]y directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an ''invisible hand'' to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was not part of it. ''By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.'' I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good." (Emphasis added) | :"[B]y directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an ''invisible hand'' to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was not part of it. ''By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.'' I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good." (Emphasis added) | ||
| − | However, [[ | + | However, the occurrence of [[market failure]]s suggest that this is not always true. In circumstances where property rights are not well-defined, firms or individuals have market power, or there is incomplete information, each [[economic actor]] acting in their own self-interest does not result in the socially optimal outcome. One such example is the [[tragedy of the commons]]. |
== The invisible hand in nature == | == The invisible hand in nature == | ||
Revision as of 00:50, October 17, 2011
The invisible hand is Adam Smith's name for the economic trend towards productivity and efficiency that results when government stops interfering in markets trying to steer them and allows individuals and corporations to fend for themselves and reap the benefits of their own hard work and innovation.
Smith's promotion and popularization of the concept in his 1776 book The Wealth of Nations, and it propelled the British Empire to become the greatest power in the history of the world in the 19th century.
He theorized that the self-interest of individuals acting independently will lead to a socially optimal outcome:[1]
- "[B]y directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was not part of it. By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good." (Emphasis added)
However, the occurrence of market failures suggest that this is not always true. In circumstances where property rights are not well-defined, firms or individuals have market power, or there is incomplete information, each economic actor acting in their own self-interest does not result in the socially optimal outcome. One such example is the tragedy of the commons.
The invisible hand in nature
The invisible hand is seen outside of an economic context in nature. There is no EPA appointed czar who insists that fish only be found in rivers lakes and ponds, and no bureaucrat that dictates that the kingfishers only be found where fish live. A complete ecosystem can assemble from wreckage and have the illusion of having been assembled together with out having ever experienced disaster.
