I think part of the problem here is a mistaken interpretation on my part. I was thinking of "optimal" in terms of an ideal society in which no fraud takes place

I think part of the problem here is a mistaken interpretation on my part. I was thinking of "optimal" in terms of an ideal society in which no fraud takes place. I think the article writer was thinking of "optimal" in terms of optimizing the solution to a problem given the constraints and freedoms of current society.