Government intervention distorts incentives from "summary" of Free to Choose by Milton Friedman
Government intervention distorts incentives by altering the costs and benefits that individuals face when making decisions. When the government provides subsidies or imposes taxes, it changes the relative prices of goods and services, leading individuals to make choices they would not have made in a free market. For example, subsidies for certain industries may encourage firms to produce more of a particular good than consumers actually want, leading to inefficiency and waste. Similarly, when the government sets price controls, such as minimum wage laws or rent control, it distorts the signals that prices send to both producers and consumers. Minimum wage laws may lead to unemployment as employers cannot afford to pay workers the mandated wage, while rent control may lead to housing shortages as landlords have less incentive to maintain or build new properties. Government regulations also distort incentives by imposing costs on businesses that may not be directly related to the production of goods and services. For example, environmental regulations may require firms to invest in expensive pollution control equipment, raising the cost of production and reducing their competitiveness in the market. In addition, government intervention can create moral hazards by insulating individuals from the consequences of their actions. For example, bailouts of failing banks or industries may encourage risky behavior as firms know they will be rescued by the government if they run into trouble. This can lead to a cycle of bailouts and continued risk-taking, ultimately distorting incentives and harming the economy as a whole.- Government intervention distorts incentives by changing the costs and benefits that individuals face when making decisions. By altering prices, imposing regulations, and creating moral hazards, the government can lead individuals to make choices that are not in their best interest or the interest of society as a whole.
