What was Prof. Friedman thinking with the NIT?

[Gipper]

I like Milton Friedman, I agreed with him occasionally, but I cannot fathom on what he was thinking with the NIT. How do you write a book Capitalism and Freedom and make a case for the NIT?

[Solid_Choke]

Friedman proposed the NIT to replace other kinds of welfare programs (that existed when he wrote C&F). He is basically right that it is less inefficient and distortionary than the “churning” that goes on now (and went on then). It annoys me the way people talk about Milton Friedman around here. He was addressing a public that was even more hostile to free markets than they are now and was actually making real progress (like helping end the draft). As far as the real world effect of his ideas goes, he is one of the most successful advocates of liberty of the 20th century.

[Merlin]

@Solid_Choke

Friedman proposed the NIT to replace other kinds of welfare programs (that existed when he wrote C&F). He is basically right that it is less inefficient and distortionary than the “churning” that goes on now (and went on then). It annoys me the way people talk about Milton Friedman around here. He was addressing a public that was even more hostile to free markets than they are now and was actually making real progress (like helping end the draft). As far as the real world effect of his ideas goes, he is one of the most successful advocates of liberty of the 20th century.

Well said!