The issue of state capture, which appears to pervade our national discourse these days, lays bare the critical need for us to never lose sight of the fact that governance and private business interests should never mix. They are diametrically opposite. Indeed, the government should be the bulwark against the often untrammelled ambition and self-interest business people ordinarily possess, and should possess to make them good business people. This enables them to extend their empires — usually at the expense of their competitors — and make profits, employ more people and build edifices we can respect and marvel at. At its core business, for want of a better way to put it, is often a zero-sum game. History has shown us time and again that business people don’t make good public officials if they don’t unlearn some of their native business instincts. The mindset required in the two arenas is totally different. It takes a special person who has deep respect for the difference to do well ...
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