What Smith was actually referring to was the price system.
The effects of the tax are not however limited to the price system, and of particular interest is the effect on employment.
His solution also would prevent the price system from doing its job of allocating resources.
A socialist economy, therefore, would require a price system in order to operate.
It was likely that the Chinese economy would continue to operate with a dual price system for some years to come.
That way Japanese companies could maintain a dual price system.
Or it may be a combination of both with a mixed price system.
But in this case at least, the engineers have triumphed over the price system.
Entrepreneurs acquire data on the plans from others through the price system.
There are certain costs and benefits which are not taken into account by the price system.