Nations are associations designed to obtain and realize all the advantages which united power and wisdom can secure for a people. However this object may be modified or limited by forms of government, or ancient customs and legislation, the same great motive remains. The legislation of civilized countries, the skill, knowledge and experience of statesmen, are, or should be, chiefly directed to this point. No government is so restricted in its powers, as to be a mere negation in regard to the social interests of the country, and none should be so blind as not to see that it must be vain to attempt securing any higher interests of a people, while their material or industrial interests are neglected or suffered to languish. The extent to which governments have already gone, and must necessarily go, in protecting and promoting industry, clearly contradicts the idea, that men can be let alone to manage their private business entirely in their own way.

— Friedrich List, The National System of Political Economy