Chapter 5, Planning and Democracy Summary and Analysis

The common goal of labor and all others is given as the common objective of socialism. This implies that non-socialists societies don't have a common objective. However, Hayek states that the common objective, different from liberalism and individualism, is for society's resources to be unified, and to reject the perceived individual supremacy. The terms general welfare and common good mean different things to different people. The assumption that all needs could be ranked means that there is an ethical code. Nevertheless, people do not have common views about things and there is no reason to think that they should. Hayek makes the point that there is no such ethical code.

People who have common goals join forces; and, out of that system, emerges a leader, such as in a state. The state becomes stronger. The...