If you do not force political freedom, economic freedom…

“If you do not force political freedom, economic freedom will be stymied sooner or later.”

Milton Friedman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Political liberty is a prerequisite for economic liberty; without it, economic freedom will eventually be suppressed.

In simple terms: Political freedom precedes economic freedom.

Key Takeaway

Protect political rights to sustain economic growth.

Themes

economics politics freedom

Mood

analytical critical

Type

academic philosophical

When to use this quote

policy making
business environment
civil rights

Key Concepts

liberalism institutional theory

Questions to Reflect On

How do political and economic freedoms interact?
What safeguards prevent economic suppression?

A Different Perspective

Economic freedom can be limited even with political freedom.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

Economic freedom Freedom Political Political freedom Politics Sooner or later

More by Milton Friedman

The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem.

Milton Friedman

I believe the role that people like myself have played in the transformation of public opinion has been by persistently presenting a different point…

Milton Friedman

To really understand something you've got to reduce it to its principles.

Milton Friedman

It is a mark of how far we have gone on the road to serfdom that government allocation and rationing of oil is the…

Milton Friedman

Economic freedom is an essential requisite for political freedom. By enabling people to cooperate with one another without coercion or central direction, it reduces…

Milton Friedman

“The people in one district can choose not to reelect their member of Congress, but that will not change the composition of the government…

Milton Friedman

When you have a time of crisis what happens depends on what ideas are floating around, and what ideas have been developed, and thought…

Milton Friedman

The government doesn't have any money. The only power it has is to take from some and give to others.

Milton Friedman

What would the people who sold us goods do with the money? They'd get dollars. What would they do with the dollars? Eat them?!

Milton Friedman

World trade depends on differences among countries, not similarities. Different countries are in different stages of development. It is appropriate for them to have…

Milton Friedman

Is there some society you know of that doesn't run on greed? You think Russia doesn't run on greed? You think China doesn't run…

Milton Friedman

Well first of all, tell me, is there some society you know of that doesn't run on greed? You think Russia doesn't run on…

Milton Friedman

I think almost every economist would agree that government gets itself in trouble when it tries to interfere with voluntary behavior.

Milton Friedman

It is most attractive about the US to people and countries with wealth is that it can provide security, insurance really, against political instability.…

Milton Friedman

Hong Kong is the bellwether. If the Chinese stick to their agreement to let Hong Kong go its own path, then China will also…

Milton Friedman

Explore all 444 Milton Friedman quotes

More Economic quotes

It makes no sense to talk of the social obligations of the corporation without reference to its economic obligations. The two are intertwined.

Lee R. Raymond

Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…

Christopher Bond

I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…

Brian Reade

The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…

Carl Schmitt

Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…

Sheila Kamerman

Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I…

Lawrence Summers

The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…

Roland Merullo

Right now, for many Americans, class is being foregrounded like never before because of the economic situation. It doesn't mean that race doesn't matter,…

Bell Hooks

The average well-being of our societies is not dependent any longer on national income and economic growth. ... But the differences between us and…

Richard G. Wilkinson

Fossil fuels, including oil, are running out and supplies are getting harder to find. If we do nothing, prices will continue to rise and…

Lucy Powell

Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…

F. A. Harper

Business school graduates from the best schools earn large salaries and frequently rise to positions of great power. It would be nice if they…

Jeffrey Pfeffer

In short, both experience and economic theory imply that the US could now t to a more competitive dollar without experiencing either increased inflation…

Martin Feldstein