Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Friedman asserts that government solutions are often as problematic as the issues they aim to fix.
In plain terms
Government fixes can be as bad as the problems.
What can you take from it?
Be cautious of relying on government interventions.

Where it applies

  • policy design
  • public debate
  • risk assessment

Putting it to work

  • evaluate alternatives
  • pilot programs
  • measure outcomes

Questions to consider

  • When is government intervention justified?
  • How can we mitigate negative side effects?

Another view

Some problems may have no viable private solution.

More from Milton Friedman

  1. The business of business is business.

    Permalink to quote #38
  2. We don't have a desperate need to grow. We have a desperate desire to grow.

    Permalink to quote #40
  3. Inflation is the one form of taxation that can be imposed without legislation.

    Permalink to quote #37

Related quotes

  1. If this Government cannot get the adjustment, get manufacturing going again, and keep moderate wage outcomes and a sensible economic policy, then Australia is …

    Paul KeatingPaul Keating quote #2
  2. There is but one special interest that we should be working for, and that would solve just about all of our problems, and that is our liberty.

    Ron PaulRon Paul quote #5
  3. The free market punishes irresponsibility. Government rewards it.

    Harry BrowneHarry Browne quote #27