Shovels Reply Quote by Milton Friedman
““Oh, I thought you were trying to build a canal. If it's jobs you want, then you should give these workers spoons, not shovels. [Reply to the government bureaucrat of one Asian country who told him that, reason why there were workers with shovels instead of modern tractors and earth movers at a worksite of a new canal, was that: "You don't understand. This is a jobs program."]””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Economic Policy, 1970s
Advocates giving workers tools for productivity, not just jobs, emphasizing empowerment over handouts.
In simple terms: Give workers the means to work, not just jobs.
Key Takeaway
Provide tools, not just employment.
Themes
economics
empowerment
policy
labor
productivity
Mood
critical
analytical
informative
Type
policy
economic
commentary
When to use this quote
- government hiring
- infrastructure projects
- skill training
- economic development
Key Concepts
Capitalism
job creation
skill development
Questions to Reflect On
- How can policy ensure tools reach those who need them?
- What are the risks of focusing solely on employment numbers?
A Different Perspective
May overlook structural barriers that prevent tool access.
