laisser-faire

The government adopts a laisser-faire approach to the new industry.

Definition

1. Noun (also spelled laissez-faire):

   • Policy of non-interference: "laisser-faire" refers to an economic and political policy that advocates minimal government intervention in private business and trade. It is based on the belief that markets function best when left to operate freely.
   • Attitude of non-interference: More broadly, it describes a general attitude or approach of allowing things to take their own course without interference or control.

2. Adjective:

   • Characterizing a policy of non-interference: "laisser-faire" is used to describe policies, principles, or attitudes that favor minimal regulation or intervention.

     • Example: a laisser-faire approach to education (an educational style that allows students significant freedom).

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The government adopted a laisser-faire policy toward the tech industry. (The government chose not to regulate or interfere in the technology sector.)
  • His laisser-faire attitude toward parenting meant his children had few rules. (His parenting style involved minimal guidance or control.)

• Adjective:

  • The company's laisser-faire management style led to high employee creativity but also some chaos. (The management allowed workers great freedom with little oversight.)
  • She believes in a laisser-faire economic system where the market regulates itself. (She supports minimal government involvement in the economy.)

Advanced Usage

• "Laisser-faire capitalism": a form of capitalism where markets operate with minimal state regulation.

  • The 19th century saw the rise of laisser-faire capitalism in many Western nations. (A period when governments largely avoided interfering in business and trade.)

• "Laisser-faire leadership": a leadership style where leaders provide minimal direction and allow team members to make decisions.

  • Under laisser-faire leadership, the team struggled with a lack of clear goals. (The leader gave the team too much autonomy without guidance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Laissez-faire (alternate spelling): the more common French-derived spelling, used interchangeably with "laisser-faire."

  • The economist advocated for laissez-faire policies. (The economist supported minimal government intervention.)

• Laissez-faireism (n): the ideology or doctrine of laissez-faire.

  • Laissez-faireism dominated economic thought in the 19th century. (The belief in minimal government involvement was widely accepted.)

Synonyms

• Non-intervention: the policy or practice of not interfering in the affairs of others.
• Hands-off: an approach that avoids direct involvement or control.
• Free-market: relating to an economic system with minimal government regulation.

Related Idioms

• "Let things take their course": to allow events to develop naturally without interference.

  • Instead of micromanaging, the manager decided to let things take their course. (He adopted a laisser-faire approach.)

• "Leave well enough alone": to avoid trying to improve or change something that is already satisfactory.

  • The government’s laisser-faire policy was based on the idea of leaving well enough alone in the economy. (The policy avoided intervention because the market seemed to function adequately.)