Adam Smith thought that government should be responsible for three things: B
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The first duty of the sovereign [government] is protecting the society from the violence
and invasion of other independent societies by means of a military force... The second
duty of the sovereign [government) is protecting every member of the society from the
injustice or oppression of every other member of it...The third and last duty of the
sovereign [government) is that of creating and maintaining those public institutions and
those public works, which though they may be in the highest degree advantageous to a
great society, are, however, of such a nature, that the profit could never repay the
expense to any individual, or small number of individuals;
Source: Adam Smith. The Wealth of Nations. 1776 (adapted)
Refer to the passage above. According to Adam Smith, which of the following is NOT
something the government should be responsible for?
protect citizens from oppression and enforce their legal rights
regulate the economy by controlling the means of production
defend society from military invasions
maintain public works and public institutions that are important to society