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About this quote

What does it mean?
Businessmen generally support free enterprise but resist it when it affects their own interests.
In plain terms
People like free markets unless they face competition themselves.
What can you take from it?
Self-interest often clouds support for principles.

Where it applies

  • policy debates
  • corporate lobbying
  • public statements

Putting it to work

  • evaluate motives
  • check incentives
  • review track records

Questions to consider

  • Are you consistent in your views?
  • What do you gain or lose?

Another view

Not all business decisions are hypocritical.

More from Milton Friedman

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  2. The broader and more influential organisations of businessmen have acted to undermine the basic foundation of the free market system they purport to represent …

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  3. One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.

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