28/10/2025
Milton Friedman (1912–2006) was one of the most influential economists of the 20th century, known for his strong advocacy of free markets and minimal government intervention in the economy. His ideas shaped modern economic policy and contributed significantly to the rise of neoliberalism.
🧠 Major Works
Capitalism and Freedom (1962)
Argued that economic freedom is a prerequisite for political freedom.
Advocated for privatization, school vouchers, and a reduction in government regulation.
A Monetary History of the United States, 1867–1960 (1963) — with Anna Schwartz
Introduced the Monetarist Theory of economics.
Showed that poor monetary policy by the Federal Reserve worsened the Great Depression.
Free to Choose (1980) — with Rose Friedman
Popularized his economic philosophy for a general audience.
Promoted individual responsibility, free enterprise, and limited government.
📊 Key Contributions to Economics
Monetarism:
Friedman argued that controlling the money supply is key to managing inflation and economic cycles — challenging Keynesian economics, which emphasized fiscal policy.
Permanent Income Hypothesis:
Suggested that individuals base their consumption decisions on long-term expected income, not just current income.
Natural Rate of Unemployment:
Proposed that there is a level of unemployment that cannot be reduced by monetary policy without causing accelerating inflation.
Policy Influence:
His ideas influenced U.S. Federal Reserve policies, particularly under Chairman Paul Volcker, and shaped economic reforms in countries like Chile, the UK, and the U.S. during the 1980s.
💬 Friedman’s Core Belief
“There is no such thing as a free lunch.”
— Emphasizing that every economic policy has costs, even when they’re not immediately visible.