Commentary

This opinion presumably refers to the arguments surrounding whether a small government is desirable. The concept of a 'small government' refers to one that has minimal intervention in matters concerning public policy and the private sector.

Supporters of small governments propose that it would result in:

• more individual freedom as a result of less regulation in areas such as the free-market.
• less government expenditure and debts
• less intrusion on daily life thus more citizen privacy

However, disadvantages include:

• less individual freedom as less intervention can mean no policies in place to protect your freedoms
• it is left to the responsibility of private corporations to tackle important issues such as the environmental and infrastructure problems, meaning they may never get addressed
• profit is the main motive of any private corporation and the benefits and health of the people is at best a secondary priority. There is a need for a regulatory force to ensure, for example, their products are not a threat to public health.
• privatisation of industries such as healthcare
• lack of social safety nets
• government can be incapable or ill-equipt to deal with large scale crises
• less workplace regulations which prevent exploitation such as minimum wage and working in humane conditions