Capitalism Quote by Milton Friedman
“To the free man, the country is the collection of individuals who compose it, not something over and above them. He is proud of a common heritage and loyal to common traditions. But he regards government as a means, an instrumentality, neither a grantor of favors and gifts, nor a master or god to be blindly worshipped and served.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Capitalism and Freedom, 1962
A free individual sees the nation as a collection of citizens, with government as a tool, not a deity.
In simple terms: Government is a means, not a master.
Key Takeaway
Respect individual autonomy.
Themes
political philosophy
freedom
government role
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting
- public policy debates
- community organizing
Key Concepts
liberalism
individual rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What balance should exist between individual liberty and collective responsibility?
- How does government serve as a tool in your life?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on individualism can ignore collective needs.
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![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
