I notice that all teaching about Adam Smith invokes a mythical yearning that unrestrained competition will somehow lead to a world of morally relevant economic interactions, rather than to a world of unrestrained monopolies growing ever larger.

Smith’s “invisible hand” was his imagination, and was only used once or twice within his works. His clearer message was about the dangers of monopolies.

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There is no natural harmony among self interests, especially when a small part of the population has access to unlimited 0% loans, while the majority of the population is relegated to 17% interest contracts on credit cards.