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 …
Tag: Socialism
Episode 67 – Efforts in Eastern Europe to Localize Government (Podcast)
When the Iron Curtain fell, Eastern European countries were left with the monumental task of building their governments and economies nearly from scratch. In today’s podcast, hear Robert Ebel, International Government Finance Economist, Milton Friedman, 1976 Nobel laureate in Economics, and Tom Hazlett, then Editor-in-Chief of The Wesleyan Review, discuss the pitfalls and triumphs of privatizing what were once solid socialist countries. Originally Recorded: 1993
Episode 50 – George P. Shultz Conversations: David D. Friedman (Podcast)
In this wide-ranging conversation, former Secretary of State George P. Shultz and Economist David Friedman discuss the ways in which the world – especially the world of ideas – has changed over Shultz’s lifetime. This discussion dives into the ways in which peoples’ understanding of concepts like socialism are not what they were in the Cold War era. Using personal experiences, the two discuss the changing perceptions in the world about property rights, the role of government and even marriage. Originally Recorded: 2006
Dead Wrong® with Johan Norberg – Democratic Socialism (VIDEO)
Dead Wrong® with Johan Norberg – Sweden: Socialism or Free Markets? (VIDEO)
Episode 29 – Privatization Trends (Podcast)
When the Soviet Union collapsed, countries in the Eastern Bloc were faced with a huge challenge. They needed to take their socialist societies and convert them into capitalist ones. How did they change a country where most property was state-owned into something that was based on private property? Each country handled it differently and the results are not surprising. Despite these challenges in the early 90’s, Milton Friedman remained optimistic, “The hopeful thing about this is that the inefficiency of the former system is so great that the new system can make great progress even though they have very inefficient …
Dead Wrong® with Johan Norberg – Why Venezuela Collapsed (VIDEO)
Episode 27 – 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 …
Episode 3 – Milton Friedman Speaks – Is Capitalism Humane? (Podcast)
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 hard to do good. You either have to use your own hard-earned money to do it or work hard to persuade others to your course. But by the same …
Sweden: Lessons for America? – Full Video Released
Sweden: Lessons for America? – full video has been released on YouTube, Roku, Amazon Prime and FreeToChoose.TV. To learn more about this program or explore our interactive timelines, click here.