IV

POLITICS

3 r 7

their stress on freedom, the one negatively toavoid limitations on existing freedom, the otherpositively to destroy natural or acquired mono-polies. They are different reactions to the sameintellectual atmosphere.

(2) I come next to a criterion of Agenda whichis particularly relevant to what it is urgent anddesirable to do in the near future. We mustaim at separating those services which are tech-nically social from those which are technically in-dividual. The most important Agenda of theState relate not to those activities which privateindividuals are already fulfilling, but to thosefunctions which fall outside the sphere of theindividual, to those decisions which are madeby no one if the State does not make them. Theimportant thing for Government is not to dothings which individuals are doing already, andto do them a little better or a little worse; butto do those things which at present are not doneat all.

It is not within the scope of my purpose onthis occasion to develop practical policies. Ilimit myself, therefore, to naming some in-stances of what I mean from amongst thoseproblems about which I happen to have thoughtmost.

Many of the greatest economic evils of ourtime are the fruits of risk, uncertainty, andignorance. It is because particular individuals,fortunate in situation or in abilities, are able totake advantage of uncertainty and ignorance,and also because for the same reason big busi-