Leave us alone

Here’s Encyclopedia Britannica:

laissez-faire, (French: “allow to do”) policy of minimum governmental interference in the economic affairs of individuals and society. The origin of the term is uncertain, but folklore suggests that it is derived from the answer Jean-Baptiste Colbert, comptroller general of finance under King Louis XIV of France, received when he asked industrialists what the government could do to help business: “Leave us alone.”

Here’s today’s Bloomberg:

Senior Chinese officials are soliciting advice from business leaders and economists on how to revitalize the economy in a flurry of meetings attendees have characterized as unusually urgent in their tone.

Top officials have held at least six consultations in recent weeks with the executives, according to people present who requested anonymity when discussing sensitive issues.

Leaders pressed those assembled for ideas on ways to stimulate the economy, restore confidence in the private sector and revive the real estate industry, the people said. In response, the business leaders and economists called on the government to make urgent policy revisions and adopt a more market-oriented, rather than planning-led, approach to growth, they said.

And here’s a famous French proverb:

plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose