A striking example of the shift of the actual tenor of doctrines--that is, of their consequences in application--is presented in the history of the doctrine of Individualism, interpreted to signify a minimum of governmental “interference” with industry and trade.
Dewey reflects on how the interpretation of Individualism has evolved, particularly in relation to government intervention in industry.
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But it indicates where the problem resides, whatever guise it assumes.
There are even those who hold that the presumption is always that social loss will result from agents of the public doing anything which could be done by persons in their private capacity.
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There are those who speak as if ability to choose between two tickets were a high exercise of individual freedom.