Viner opposed laissez-faire and demanded corporate regulation before the New Deal

Evidence

When he directly addressed matters of public policy, however, he strongly emphasized his departures from anything resembling laissezfaire. His rhetoric was particularly strident in regard to limitations on the powers amassed by large corporations. “Nothing in the history of American business,” he reminded his audience in a 1931 speech, “justifi es undue confi dence on the part of the American public that it can trust big business to take care of the community without supervision, regulation or eternal vigilance.” — Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion, 99

Categorization

• XREF: Reinforces the anti-cartel, pro-regulation strand among Chicago economists, relevant to the reader’s map of Mont Pèlerin’s intellectual landscape. — connects to: Viner opposed laissez-faire and distrusted corporate power despite a conservative reputation — Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion: Reinventing Free…, 99