Equality. In a free market, there is likely to be significant inequality and poverty. This is not due to a meritocracy, but it could be due to unfair advantages of circumstances (inherited wealth, superior education). Governments can intervene to provide a basic security net – unemployment benefit, minimum income for those who are sick and disabled. This increases net economic welfare and enables individuals to escape the worst poverty. This government intervention can also prevent social unrest from extremes of inequality.
The New England colonies did not have very good farmland because of the rocky soil. The farming that was done was mainlysmall scale farming for family or community needs. Large scale agriculture was not suitable in the New England colonies.
