As a biologist I really like the idea and feel it to be true. I'd say it is even a guiding principle in my life. But most people don't like it as it is very Ayn Rand/Margaret Thatcher-ish: "There is no such thing as society!", "Society is made up of individuals exercising their rational self-interest."
Assyriologists would tell you that the original purpose of government was to account for and distribute wages to laborers on major construction projects.
One benefits of startup culture is someone can think say I think the world needs a supersonic jet and go ahead and try to make it happen without government planning, a bit like the beavers and their dam. You can like that without being a Rand nut.
