Quote Originally Posted by Fisherking View Post
Interesting that you chose automobiles as an example. Operators licences became required for the purpose of revenue. Safety standards came much later. It has always been a crime to inflict bodily harm to others, even if it was negligent.

I agree that people have limited foresight. But once they become aware of a problem that could negatively impact them will they not most usually act in their own best interest? Why is it that force and coercion is the only means of accomplishment?
Yet I imagine you'd agree that the licences have been amended over the years to protect, not to garner money.

The world is so full of examples where people have not acted on their own interest in even the short, let alone long term. Such as the examples Husar gave.

Force and coercion are used since they work and the small amount of force that is required - little more usually than a nudge since the regulations are taken by many to be the natural state of being - is much better than the anarchy of everyone working out things by themselves. You would seriously let teenagers learn everything themselves by trial and error??!?