Business Quote by Milton Friedman
““a private enterprise is a failure, it closes down—unless it can get a government subsidy to keep it going; if a government enterprise fails, it is expanded. I challenge you to find exceptions. The””
About This Quote
Source Book: “Capitalism and Freedom” by Milton Friedman, 1962
The statement critiques private enterprises for relying on subsidies and government enterprises for expansion, challenging the notion of pure market efficiency.
In simple terms: Private firms need subsidies; government firms expand when failing.
Key Takeaway
Question the role of government in business success.
Themes
economics
government policy
market failure
subsidies
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
economic
political
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- entrepreneurial planning
- academic debate
- legislative reform
Key Concepts
public finance
political economy
business strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- Are there private firms thriving without subsidies?
- What are the consequences of expanding failing government enterprises?
A Different Perspective
The claim oversimplifies complex market dynamics.
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)