I think that upto the end of the 50s governments broadly thought in terms of what was good for the nation, a people first kind of mentality…..hence capitalism and commerce were tempered with state ownership and regulation to give the best overall result for the nation.
Thats not just me saying that, it’s a point I picked up watching various academics and social historians and it’s makes sense to me.
Then we gradually went to ultra capitalism, no shackles, no rules, allowed to do as they please and that certainly isn’t working for the little man …….all our modern politicians are a pro