By Maria Irene
If you’re like me, you probably never thought you’d pick up a book about economics voluntarily. But after seeing Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman recommended by several people online, I decided to give it a try. And I’m glad I did.
In Capitalism and Freedom, Friedman argues that economic freedom is essential for political freedom. He believes that when individuals are free to make their own economic choices, they are also more likely to be free politically. He also advocates for a free market economy, where prices are determined by supply and demand rather than government intervention.
One of the most interesting parts of the book for me was when Friedman discussed how government intervention in the economy often leads to unintended consequences. For example, he argued that when the government tries to fix prices, it can lead to shortages or surpluses. This made me think about all the times I’ve seen news stories about government policies that were supposed to help people, but ended up causing more harm than good.
Another aspect of the book that I appreciated was how Friedman tied economic freedom to individual liberty. He argued that when the government takes control of the economy, it can limit individual freedom and lead to a less prosperous society. This made me think about how important it is to protect individual rights and freedoms in all areas of life, not just politics.
One criticism I have of the book is that at times it can be a bit dense and difficult to understand. Friedman uses a lot of economic jargon and assumes a certain level of knowledge about the subject. As someone who is relatively new to economics, I found myself having to reread certain sections to fully grasp the concepts he was discussing.
Overall, Capitalism and Freedom is a thought-provoking book that challenged my preconceptions about economics and politics. While I don’t agree with all of Friedman’s ideas, I appreciate the way he makes a compelling case for economic freedom and individual liberty. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the intersection of economics and politics, but be prepared to put in some work to understand the more complex concepts.
