|
Volume 5 - Created Equal
Abstract:
In this program, Milton Friedman visits India, the U.S., and Britain,
examining the question of equality. He points out that our society
traditionally has embraced two kinds of equality: equality before
God and equality of opportunity. The first of these implies that human
beings enjoy a certain dignity simply because they are members of
the human community. The second suggests societies should allow the
talents and inclinations of individuals to unfold, free from arbitrary
barriers. Both of these concepts of equality are consistent with the
goal of personal freedom. In recent years, there has been growing
support for a third type of equality, which Dr. Friedman calls "equality
of outcome." This concept of equality assumes that justice demands
a more equal distribution of the economic fruits of society. While
admitting the good intentions of those supporting the idea of equality
of outcome, Dr. Friedman points out that government policies undertaken
in support of this objective are inconsistent with the ideal of personal
freedom. Advocates of equality of outcome typically argue that consumers
must be protected by government from the insensitivities of the free
market place. Dr. Friedman demonstrates that in countries where governments
have pursued the goal of equality of outcome, the differences in wealth
and well being between the top and the bottom are actually much greater
than in countries that have relied on free markets to coordinate economic
activity. Indeed, says Dr. Friedman, it is the ordinary citizen who
benefits most from the free market system. Dr. Friedman concludes
that any society that puts equality ahead of freedom will end up with
neither. But the society that puts freedom before equality will end
up with both greater freedom and great equality.
|