Capitalism And Freedom Milton Friedman Analysis

Milton Friedman in his book Capitalism and Freedom outlined how he believes the government should function, what it should control, and how it should respond to social issues. Friedman above all else wants to be free, and wants every other person to be free, but how would Milton Friedman respond to the Brown v. Board of Education decision which is generally seen as giving other people’s freedom? Friedman would respond to this situation in two different ways, one on a emotional level, and the other on the logical level. Friedman states, “I believe strongly that the color of a man’s skin… by itself, no reason to treat him differently; that a man should be judged by what he is and what he does and not by these external characteristics.” (Friedman, 111). From an emotional standpoint Friedman should be ecstatic. Friedman explicitly states that he believes in equality of the races throughout his book. He believes that the only thing a person should be judged on …show more content…
So, Friedman’s opinions on the Brown v. Board of Education decision will logically be skewed due to the fact that one of his core beliefs is freedom, freedom to do whatever one might want to do even if it is something Friedman might morally disagree with. When speaking on segregated schools Friedman states, “those of us who believe that the color of skin is an irrelevant characteristic and what it is desirable for all to recognize this, yet who also believe in individual freedom, are therefor faced with an dilemma,” (Friedman, 117). If the government forces public schools to integrate it is forcing something upon people who do not wish to have it, and if the government refuses to force integration it is still forcing segregation onto people who do not wish to be segregated. Friedman is faced with the issue of public education that is run by the government, because no matter the decision it is the government forcing it’s believes onto the