The relationship between government and business is the theme of this essay. Each depends on the other, and each uses the other for its own purposes. Business seeks favours from government in the form of protective legislation and other interventions. Government caters to business because its power is increased.
The only hopeful note is that government cannot afford to ignore the importance of economic growth and productivity. This serves to restrain government’s willingness to accommodate the demands of business groups or to intervene in the market more generally.