….the free market promotes another virtue [additional to independence, productivity, and self-responsibility] that is rarely mentioned: curiosity. In 2004, psychologists Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson created an index of 24 character strengths, such as kindness, wisdom, and gratitude; based on their research, curiosity was one of the top five most closely linked to fulfillment and happiness….
In more controlled economies, featuring larger governments, curiosity is not a prime virtue. State ownership of industries reduces the number of available jobs, closing off career opportunities. By prohibiting private competition, the state also decreases incentives for organizations to adapt and improve. A 2002 study of international airlines in about 40 countries found that privately owned airlines have higher profit levels and employee productivity than public airlines, with “mixed” airlines falling somewhere in the middle. And when organizations are not constantly improving, their employees have little incentive to be curious and increase their knowledge and skills. The same occurs, to a lesser degree, when extensive regulations prohibit certain types of business activities.
Via Curiosity Thrilled the Cat — The American, A Magazine of Ideas.