I’m sure this topic has come up before, but I’d like to lay it out again - why don’t governments operate like businesses? It seems really simple theoretically. In business, if a customer is unsatisfied with a particular service or product, they either provide feedback, change the provider or stop purchases. Why can’t the same thing occur in a government setting? Why can’t people act like customers of public services (healthcare, security, education etc). We are, after all paying taxes, which is similar to paying for products or services in the business environment. I guess governments can give multiple excuses like the services they provide are cheaper than usual or that they subsidise a lot things which enables us to live at low costs. But aren’t they doing this with our taxes? If we are not satisfied with the services, can’t we lobby for improvements or other providers? On the downside, if governments do act like businesses, if progressive taxes are implemented should people who pay more taxes be better served? However, I do think there are more benefits than problems with governments adopting a more business-like approach and becoming more accountable for their actions, the same way businesses are at least accountable to their customers and shareholder, if not the rest of society and the environment.

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