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Friedman Quote

Friedman Quote

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Eric Posted: Wed, Jan 14 2009 8:42 AM

"The need for government in these respects arise because absolute freedom is impossible. However attractive anarchy might be as a philosophy, it is not feasible in a world of imperfect men."-Milton Friedman

I found this quote in Friedmans quote "Capitalism and Freedom".

It kind of shocks me that he would debase a philosophy in 2 short sentences, furthermore he states a general reason, does anyone know a place where I can find where he more throughly talks about anarchy? Thanks.

 

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laminustacitus replied on Wed, Jan 14 2009 10:40 AM

I could see that quote completely reversed: "The need for anarchy in these respects arise because absolute control is impossible. However attrative statism might be as a philosophy, it is not feasible in a world of imperfect men." - laminustacitus

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Eric replied on Wed, Jan 14 2009 10:57 AM

laminustacitus:

I could see that quote completely reversed: "The need for anarchy in these respects arise because absolute control is impossible. However attrative statism might be as a philosophy, it is not feasible in a world of imperfect men." - laminustacitus

Wow I like that alot. Good quote

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sirmonty replied on Wed, Jan 14 2009 10:59 AM

Kind of reminds me of LeFevre's quote.

"If men are good, you don't need government; if men are evil or ambivalent, you don't dare have one."

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Jon Irenicus replied on Wed, Jan 14 2009 5:18 PM

Wow, even shorter than Mises's dismissal of it. Of course, Mises was battling socialist (and especially Marxians) at the time, and had much more important considerations to deal with first. What's Friedman's excuse?

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rstruzik replied on Wed, Jan 14 2009 6:03 PM

likewise, Mises wrote

"If one rejects laissez faire on account of man’s fallibility and moral weakness, one must for the same reason also reject every kind of government action."

 

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Lyle D. Riggs replied on Wed, Jan 14 2009 7:44 PM

Jon I., I like your take.  It is a reversal of Madison's "men are not angels."  The statement ought to be since man are not angels, they should not rule over one another.

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kiba replied on Wed, Jan 14 2009 8:04 PM

My memory of the quote was different though.

 

"If men are good, they don't need rulers; if men are evil, than men are not fit to be rulers."

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