We have been talking extensively about what Friedman thinks the government's role should be within the business world, or the economy as a whole. We concluded that Friedman believes that the goverment should simply serve the economy, this in terms of simply serving as an "umpire", to ensure that the rules are being followed and contracts are being upheld; therefore, he believes that the government should not serve any other purpose besides simply "overlooking" the business to ensure they are "playing by the rules". Freidman also mentions that we need to have economic freedom and political freedom to be truly "free". I came across an article on CNSNews.com, written on September 2, 2009 by Penny Starr, titled "Childhood Obesity Report Calls For Government Regulations to Limit Access to "Unhealthy" Restaurant Chains", which raises an interesting application of Friedman's ideas on government interferance in the business world.
The article speaks about a recent report released about childhood obesity, and how the government wants to come up with strategies to combat what they call an "epidemic of childhood obesity". The article mentions that the government should take steps towards combating this growing problem, and among the steps being proposed is "enacting zoning and land-use regulations that would "restrict fast food establishments near school grounds and public playgrounds" (Starr). This, I would argue, would infuriate Friedman because the government would be restricting our freedom on two levels. One would be that they will be limiting the public's freedom to spend their money, or in other words their economic resources, on what they want to buy, which makes us not free. Also, this would be coercing within the market, as Friedman would say, because they are forcing one to eat something other than what one might want. Yes, it is evident that it would be for a better cause, this being health, but Friedman would definitely not agree with the government prohibiting the fast food restaurants from establishing their businesses where they please. I think that this article is a clear example of what Friedman would say should not be the role of goverment within the economy.
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Great Blog Post!!!!! I agree that Friedman would say that that the role of the government within this economy prohibiting the fast food places etc... But I personally believe that obesity in today's children is a big problem. I actually wrote a paper on child and animal obesity and it was something like every 1 in 3 kids and animals are obese. Does this mean the government should intervene? Im not sure, but limiting temptation to where the kids are most I believe it should be done, so if that means limiting fast food places around the kids school and inside the kids school I believe it should be done!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great relation to Friedman, and you explained how in this case the government was limiting freedom on an individual level and on the market level. You are right, Friedman would be against any governmental regulation over where a company can sell its products. And I agree with you that these governmental regulations limit the individuals freedom to choose what he/she wants to spend their money on, as well as it puts a limit on the market itself. He believes in a free market and any type of governmental coercion limits this freedom. However, I believe this is an example of why Friedman’s idea does not work in all cases. He believes that any problem that can be resolved by the market should be resolved by the market. But obesity has been a growing problem for over a decade now. The market does not seem to be solving the problem. How long should we have to wait for the market to correct itself in order to solve this obesity problem. This is a very controversial issue and I could see both sides of the argument, but I do feel that it is time for something to get done to keep our children from learning unhealthy eating habits.
ReplyDeleteI myself studied obesity in children and grownups... and i agree with the fact that friedman says the government should not get involved because it limits the freedom of what we can eat and buy. On the other hand what the government can do is provide the public with more public parks, and other activities which help with this problem. For example the problem with obesity is not the consumption of food but it has many causes. One can be genetics and the other one just simply lack of excersise. I learned that with the knew technology advance and games etc... children are not being as active as they used to be. They rather play video games than play basketball or swimming for example. So I say that the government shouldnt intervene in this situation at all.Great post....!!
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