On the back of the English £20 note is a picture of Adam Smith, the famous 18th century Scottish economist, philosopher and author, whose book “The Wealth of Nations” radically changed the way people thought about wealth and national prosperity.
Smith was a great believer in free trade and the economic and social benefits that it could bring to a nation and its people. However, he once remarked that –
“It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest”.
A statement worth bearing in mind when we hear of certain leaders of big business urging the UK to remain in the over-regulated European Union.
We must never forget that capitalist self-interest outweighs all other interests, including democracy and freedom, time after time.
Common Sense 