The underlying assumption of this variation is that the inherent selfishness of individuals is transferred by the self-regulating market into general economic well-being. In neo-classical economic liberalism, competitive market should function as equilibrating mechanisms, which deliver both economic welfare and distributive justice. One of the main aims of the economic liberalism in the United States and United Kingdom, which was significantly influenced by Friedrich Hayek's ideas, is that government should regulate economic activity; but the state should not get involved as economic actor.[2]