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What is meant by the invisible hand? Explain thoroughly using these terms in your explanation; “competition” “self-interest” “self-regulating

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Answer:

The invisible hand is the term in economics and political philosophy for the invisible mechanism that drives a free market system, coined by economist Adam Smith. Ever since then, it has been a central concept for economists and conservative politicians in their arguments for a pure, non-state intervention free market, laissez-faire policy.

In his analysis, Adam Smith argued that the free market itself is a mutually beneficial arrangement that occurs in itself, spontaneously, as if some invisible hand is operating, by a chain of thousands of exchanges without participants thinking anything about the consequences.

Therefore, through competition guided by the market participants' self interests, all market participants would benefit in a collateral way, provided that there is a proper self regulation of the market, and not a regulation guided by the government.

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