All who listen to this masterful and lucid polemic for a free market economy will never question Milton Friedman's Nobel Prize in economics. Friedman and his wife Rose team to write a most convincing and readable guide that illustrates the crucial link between Adam Smith's capitalism and the free society.
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"Excellent book….This reviewer has never read a more straightforward and simple statement of the present ills facing our society and what we as citizens in a democracy must do about them." --Chicago Sun Times
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An eye opener,
This review is from: Free to Choose: A Personal Statement (Paperback)
"Economic freedom is an essential requisite for political freedom". That quote from Milton and Rose Friedman is the essential reason why "Free To Choose" should be required reading for all Americans in high school! This book makes a powerful and persuasive argument in favor of a free market economy. Written in a very lucid style "Free To Choose" makes the usually dry subject of economics easily understandable and a pleasure to read. The "Power Of The Market" chapter shows how free markets work and why they are essential for human freedom. "Tyranny Of Control" chapter explains why trade restrictions and subsidies backfire. The "Freedom And Prosperity" chapter examines what the dramatic experience in Eastern Europe reveals about bureaucrats and markets. The "Created Equal" chapter shows how markets promote justice. Simply said, this book tackles economic issues that are as timely today as they were when the Friedman's wrote about them in 1979.
As a retired Army officer and student of political philosophy, I found "Free To Choose" a great book for anyone who wants to understand basic economic theory.
10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Next to the Bible this book is a must read!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Free to Choose: A Personal Statement (Paperback)
No book better expresses the connection between personal freedom and a strong economy. In this text Capitalism is seen as a positive driving force. Should be required college reading in any economics class.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Remarkable Book,
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This review is from: Free to Choose: A Personal Statement (Paperback)
Milton Friedman is one of the most revered or the most controversial (depending on your point of view) figures in the economic thought of the second part of the twentieth century. He is heir to the tradition of economic liberalism that can arguably be traced back all the way to Adam Smith. In his writings he has tirelessly championed the virtues of the free-market capitalism, arguing that this is not only the most efficient way of running an economy, but also the most equitable and ethically sound as well.
One of the most impressive as well as most depressing aspects of this book is its perpetual relevance. In the decades since it has been written the amount of regulation and obstacles to free enterprise has only increased, with no abating in sight. Among other things Friedman discusses the perils of public medicine, and today that issue is more relevant than ever before. Even the arguments and the evidence provided for both sides of the argument have barely changed in over thirty years. For me the chapter on education was the most revelatory. The quality of education on all levels has been steadily decreasing for decades, while its cost has been increasing out of measure. This is particularly the case with American public schools, which have been on a downward spiral for a long time. Friedman challenges the notion that the public education has been a necessary and absolutely crucial development for the sake of the improvement of society at large. The research has shown conclusively that even before the introduction of compulsory public education in the US and UK the primary education was almost universal. Furthermore, the initiative to have government provide "free" universal education did not come from parents, but was rather motivated by the desire of teachers to have more secure jobs. And once government takes over an industry, it almost never lets it out of its grip again. This is a remarkable, lucid, and immensely quotable book. Anyone interested in basic principles that underlie free market ideals ought to read this book. It has been one of the most influential books on this topic, and there are many public figures and intellectuals who cite it as one of their favorite books of all time.
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