Читать книгу Milton Friedman - Eamonn Butler - Страница 9

The book is not a chronological history of Friedman’s life and work. Rather, it is structured round the key themes of his contributions to economics and politics.

After a short account of Friedman’s upbringing – he was the child of poor Hungarian Jewish immigrants to the US – and of his subsequent, glittering career and continuing influence today, the book moves first to outline his contribution in economics. In particular it sets out his dispute with Keynes over the causes of financial crises such as the Great Depression, his view that ‘stimulus’ packages actually make things worse – an argument that is still very relevant today – and his groundbreaking insights into the causes and cures of inflation and unemployment.

The book goes on to explain Friedman’s criticism of government regulations and controls over commerce, trade and international markets; it then outlines his explanation of why he thought most government programmes are either a failure or a fraud, and recounts his recommendations for rolling back the state.

The book then lays out Friedman’s ideas as the leading advocate of free and largely unregulated markets, and his explanation of why he thought free markets allocated resources so much more efficiently – and fairly – than governments.

This leads on to Friedman’s libertarian views on freedom, equality, the limited but important role of government, and his robust but humane faith in the “genius” of free individuals in a free society.