Episode 84 – Milton Friedman Speaks – “Who Protects the Consumer?” (Podcast)

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Free To Choose, we are sharing some of Milton Friedman’s most compelling talks. In this original recording from 1978, the question asked is, “Who Protects the Consumer?” Consumer legislation doesn’t protect the consumer in the end. Rather, it benefits the consumer advocates, including reformers, special interest groups, and regulatory agencies. What does protect the consumer? Alternative sources of supply at variable prices are the inevitable result of international competition-free trade. Milton does not mince words when it comes to his perception of the matter, “These agencies, these regulations, these bureaucrats have not only picked …

Share
Continue Reading

Episode 83 – Milton Friedman Speaks – “Putting Learning Back in the Classroom” (Podcast)

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Free To Choose, we are sharing some of Milton Friedman’s most compelling talks. In this original recording from 1978, the quality of public education in America today in many places is in a clear downward spiral. Dr. Friedman identifies the increasing centralization and bureaucratization of the educational establishment, which inhibits educators from seeing and responding to the needs of their “consumers” — parents and students; He also touches on our altered view of the relationship between the individual and society— the shift from seeing the individual as responsible for oneself to seeing the individual …

Share
Continue Reading

Episode 82 – Milton Friedman Speaks – “Equality and Freedom in the Free Enterprise System” (Podcast)

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Free To Choose, we are sharing some of Milton Friedman’s most compelling talks. In this original recording, Friedman explores equality and freedom in the free enterprise system. If the government has the power and responsibility to promote equality of income, then how do we define the concept of equality? Jefferson, in his Declaration of Independence, meant equality before the law, a concept necessary precisely because people are not equal in tastes, values, or capacities. Later, equality came to mean equality of opportunity—the chance to run a fair race. Within a free-market system, both definitions …

Share
Continue Reading

Episode 81 – Milton Friedman Speaks – “What is Wrong with the Welfare State?” (Podcast)

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Free To Choose, we are sharing some of Milton Friedman’s most compelling talks. In this original recording from 1978, the question asked is what is wrong with the welfare state? The welfare state is an attempt to “do good” with someone else’s money. The aim may be worthy, but the means are faulty. The problem is that you do not spend someone else’s money as carefully as your own. More to the point, it’s impossible to “do good” with someone else’s money without first taking it away from someone else. That implies coercion—the use …

Share
Continue Reading

Episode 80 – Milton Friedman Speaks – “The Role of Government in a Free Society” (Podcast)

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Free To Choose, we are sharing some of Milton Friedman’s most compelling talks. In this original recording from 1978, the question is what is the role of government in a free society? If we are to define the role of government in a free society, we must first specify the needs a government is expected to provide. Defense from foreign enemies and protection of property, including the enforcement of private contracts, are clearly legitimate functions of government. But when we come to two other functions of government—providing a substitute for voluntary cooperation when it …

Share
Continue Reading

Episode 79 – Milton Friedman Speaks – Is Capitalism Humane? (Podcast)

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Free To Choose, we are sharing some of Milton Friedman’s most compelling talks. In this original recording from 1978, the question asked is, “Is capitalism humane?” According to Milton Friedman, the question is irrelevant. Capitalism per se is not humane or inhumane; nor is socialism. If we compare the two in terms of results, it is clear that only capitalism fosters equality and works toward social justice. The one is based on the principle of voluntary cooperation and free exchange, the other on force of position and power. In a free economy, it is …

Share
Continue Reading

Episode 78 – Morality of the Free Market (Podcast)

Critics of the free market system often point out that it is an unfair system due to it leaving some with wealth at the expense of oppressing others. What those critics often ignore is that exchanges in this economic structure are voluntary. Each side comes out of the interaction with their desired result. Since the seller is amassing wealth by helping others get the goods and services they need, isn’t that more moral than proposed socialist solutions? When it comes to the relationship between morals and economics, Dr. Walter Williams has this to say, “Unless you believe that there’s a …

Share
Continue Reading

Episode 77 – Bruce Ames (Podcast)

Restraint and common sense, urges the inventor of the Ames Test, Professor Bruce Ames. He’s concerned with the exaggeration of the danger of chemical residues in the environment. Can these views be applied to other aspects of our lives? Originally Recorded:  1987

Share
Continue Reading

Episode 76 – Friedrich Hayek and Robert Chitester Part 2 (Podcast)

Join us for Part Two of the conversation between noted economist Friedrich Hayek and the founder of Free To Choose Network, Bob Chitester as they continue to discuss American thought and culture, and the ramifications of constant change in American economic and social policies. Listen to how the themes are still relevant today, despite being recorded in over 40 years ago. Originally Recorded:  1978

Share
Continue Reading

Episode 75 – Friedrich Hayek and Robert Chitester Part 1 (Podcast)

Does the United States shift its economic policy too quickly? Not allowing enough time for these policies to take hold may be leading to some unintended consequences. Join noted economist Friedrich Hayek and the founder of Free To Choose Network, Bob Chitester as they discuss just that, along with other topics. Originally Recorded: 1978

Share
Continue Reading