Accepting Quote by Milton Friedman
“If, for example, existing government intervention is minor, we shall attach a smaller weight to the negative effect of additional government intervention. This is an important reason why many earlier liberals, like Henry Simons, writing at a time when government was small by today's standards, were willing to have government undertake activities that today's liberals would not accept now that government has become so overgrown.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Capitalism and Freedom, 1962
Small government intervention is preferable; larger states limit liberal actions.
In simple terms: Less government is better.
Advocate minimal regulation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- tax reform
- deregulation
- public debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is intervention justified?
- How to balance liberty and welfare?
Complex issues may need nuanced solutions.