Question

the statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to operate their business would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume authority which could safely be trusted, not to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who was so arrogant to think himself fit to exercise it.
to... direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals... in almost all cases is a useless or hurtful regulation. if the produce of domestic industry can be brought there as cheap as that of foreign industry, the regulation is evidently useless. if it cannot, it must generally be hurtful.
adam smith, the wealth of nations, 1776
16 mark for review
which of the following best summarizes the perspective of adam smith in the passage?
a a strong centralized government is necessary to maintain economic order.
b lowering taxes increases investment and allows the free market to flourish.
c the government should not try to regulate manufacturing.
d civil liberties limit the power of the federal government to regulate the economy.

Explanation:

Adam Smith's passage argues that government attempts to direct private business or regulate capital use are either useless or harmful, emphasizing that such authority is dangerous and unnecessary. Option A contradicts this by supporting strong centralized government. Option B focuses on taxes, which are not mentioned in the passage. Option D centers on civil liberties, which are not the core of Smith's argument here. Option C directly aligns with Smith's view that government should not regulate private industry/manufacturing.

Answer:

C. The government should not try to regulate manufacturing.