tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-667454104545986293.post5250013961569150901..comments2014-05-12T23:09:34.589-04:00Comments on Social Foundations III: Thoughts on Economic Freedom Prof. Ashley Vaughthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962110104131700355noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-667454104545986293.post-58909320566309727242014-03-10T11:45:40.137-04:002014-03-10T11:45:40.137-04:00Erica, I had a similar question when reading Fried...Erica, I had a similar question when reading Friedman's views on government intervention. If Friedman believes that government should only work to keep the free market free then basically he believes that inequality is the only way to keep progress going which is a sad but honest truth. This whole concept was shocking to me because I had always seen government as the one entity that worked to promote equality and ensure the needs of every citizen was met. Now that I think about it, if people have nothing to gain from others with different economic backgrounds then there would be no need for economic interaction at all. Historically, economic competition began on the sole basis of inequality of resources with people trading with others to get the goods they lacked. I do think it is ineffective in general for the government to manipulate the free market because it remains balanced on its own and honestly if government isn't working to completely change the economic market to create more equality then I agree with you that it might as well stay out. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05797100381811018214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-667454104545986293.post-60664440484135619192014-03-10T02:04:21.942-04:002014-03-10T02:04:21.942-04:00I also agree with Friedman's view towards gove...I also agree with Friedman's view towards government and where they stand. It is the job of the government to maintain competition, counter monopolies, and basically keep the free market free. Don't touch something that isn't broken, as the saying goes. But I have to wonder, is it absolutely ineffective for the government to manipulate the free market? Are there no benefits at all? Erica Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10446815073404792097noreply@blogger.com