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He importance of dispersing and limiting government power (Friedman)

Q: What is Friedman’s main worry about government power?

He thinks any highly concentrated power is dangerous , even in democratic hands, so government power must be limited and dispersed to protect individual freedom.

Q: Why does Friedman distrust even a democratic government with too much power?

Because today’s majority or “good” rulers can be replaced by worse ones, and once the machinery of a powerful state exists, it can be used for coercion, control, and oppression .

Q: How do markets help limit government power?

Markets spread economic power among many firms and individuals. Since the state does not control all jobs and resources, it cannot easily threaten everyone’s livelihood at once.

Q: What separation does Friedman see as crucial for freedom?

A separation between economic power and political power : if they are in different hands, each can check the other and no single center dominates society.

Q: Besides markets, what other limits on power does Friedman support?

Constitutional rules (rights, rule of law) Checks and balances between branches of government Federalism / decentralization (spreading power across levels of government)

7 important questions on He importance of dispersing and limiting government power (Friedman)

How does this concern link to his criticism of socialism?

A socialist or heavily planned economy gives the state control over both politics and the whole economy, creating maximum concentration of power, which he sees as a serious threat to freedom.

What is Friedman’s main worry about government power?

He thinks any highly concentrated power is dangerous, even in democratic hands, so government power must be limited and dispersed to protect individual freedom.

Why does Friedman distrust even a democratic government with too much power?

Because today’s majority or “good” rulers can be replaced by worse ones, and once the machinery of a powerful state exists, it can be used for coercion, control, and oppression.

How do markets help limit government power?

Markets spread economic power among many firms and individuals. Since the state does not control all jobs and resources, it cannot easily threaten everyone’s livelihood at once.

What separation does Friedman see as crucial for freedom?

A separation between economic power and political power: if they are in different hands, each can check the other and no single center dominates society.

Why is Friedman suspicious of large government economic programs, even well-intentioned ones?

Because big welfare states, heavy regulation, and nationalizations can build a huge centralized apparatus. Even if created for good reasons, that apparatus can later be captured and abused.