It is a great error to assume, for instance, that the methodology of economics is normally applied to determine whether an activity carried on by a group within society yields a profit to society as a whole. Even nationalised industries are not considered from this more comprehensive point of view. Every one of them is given a financial target – which is, in fact, an obligation – and is expected to pursue this target without regard to any damage it might be inflicting on other parts of the economy.
