A person is
economically free, if he can do what he wishes with his own property, time and
effort.
In all communities,
of course, limits and set upon this personal freedom. In some countries the
limits are complex; in others they are relatively simple. All individual
citizens are required to conform to the laws made by their governments.
Complete economic freedom of action can cause great difficulties, because the
freedoms of various individuals will conflict.
If citizens were
completely free, some landowners might build factories in unsuitable places.
If there no system
of control, factory-owners might make their employees work too long each day.
If they were
completely free, workers might stop working when they got their first pay, and
come back to do more work only when they needed more money. Such economic
freedom could create a very unstable economy. Laws related to economic
conditions are sometimes concerned with workers' health, wages and pensions.
They are sometimes
concerned with contracts between employers and employees. They are sometimes
concerned with the location of places of work. Sometimes they help the
employers; sometimes they protect the interests of the workers.