# Do you think a strong government leads to a strong economy? Why or why not?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-a-strong-government-leads-to-a-strong-economy-why-or-why-not/622951>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [May 24, 2012, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-a-strong-government-leads-to-a-strong-economy-why-or-why-not/622951 "2012-05-24T14:03:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FixMyIgnorance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-a-strong-government-leads-to-a-strong-economy-why-or-why-not/622951/1 "2012-05-24T14:03:18Z")

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A question for the ages, really, but it’s always interesting to see both sides.

When it comes to government + economy stuff, I honestly have no idea. I’m curious to learn more.

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**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-a-strong-government-leads-to-a-strong-economy-why-or-why-not/622951/2 "2012-05-24T14:08:00Z")

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Well I suppose that depends on how you define strength. Personally, I feel that a government that imposes clear, simple, and flexible regulation for purposes of health, sustainability and safety but otherwise keeps out will provide the best results. The role of the government is prevent abuses, and ensure stability.

A strong authoritarian government will meddle too much, a strongly libertarian one not enough. How do you define strength?

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**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-a-strong-government-leads-to-a-strong-economy-why-or-why-not/622951/3 "2012-05-24T14:22:50Z")

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It’s pretty much necessary for a strong, stable\* economy but not sufficient; as **Acid Lamp** said, a lot depends on how they are “strong”.

- As in, an economy that is not only strong at the moment, but isn’t built on fraud and such and therefore doomed to collapse sooner or later.