Laissez-faire

A policy of limited government interference in the running of businesses.

A 'leave alone' approach in which government avoids intervening. In nineteenth-century public health, it supported resistance to government responsibility for improving living conditions.

The policy of limiting government intervention; in law enforcement, this meant leaving much responsibility to local arrangements rather than establishing a centrally organised police system.

An approach in which government avoids interfering in people’s lives and leaves matters largely to individuals or private organisations.

The belief that government should interfere as little as possible in the running of businesses.

The belief that government should interfere as little as possible in business and the economy.

An approach in which government avoids interfering in business and people’s lives, rather than taking responsibility for regulating conditions.

An attitude favouring limited government interference in people’s lives and businesses.

A ‘leave alone’ attitude which opposed government interference. In nineteenth-century public health, it meant resisting government responsibility for improving living conditions.