Capitalism and Freedom

For Liberty!---and occasional levity. Freedom Lessons is a meeting place to learn from and equip one another as we persuade others to embrace individual freedom. The goal? A lasting cultural preference for freedom, limited government, free markets, respect for the Constitution and rule of law, and a more sensible and strong national defense. That's all.

The task we take very seriously. Ourselves, well, not so much...

Capitalism and Freedom
By Milton Friedman
ISBN 0-226-26421-1

"Freedom is a rare and delicate plant. Our minds tell us, and history confirms, that the great threat to freedom is the concentration of power." (From the Introduction)

Friedman lays out a strong historical and empirical argument concerning economics and liberty: competitive capitalism and freedom go hand-in-hand. It is impossible to eradicate freedom in the marketplace without diminishing individual and political freedom.

As cultures become more economically free, they grown freer in general. Conversely, if the few hands that control political power are the same few hands that assume control of the economic fate of millions of people, both political and economic power are concentrated at the peril of freedom.

Friedman covers a broad assortment of topics, including monopoly, education, poverty, and income distribution. Written for public consumption, Capitalism and Freedom provides much history and economics to consider.