Capitalism and Freedom

Capitalism and Freedom
AuthorMilton Friedman
Cover artistSteven Cheung
LanguageEnglish
GenreNon-fiction
PublisherUniversity of Chicago Press
Publication date
1962
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hard & paperback)
Pages202 (Fortieth anniversary edition)
ISBN0-226-26421-1 (40th anniversary edition)
OCLC49672469
330.12/2 21
LC ClassHB501 .F7 2002

Capitalism and Freedom is a book by Milton Friedman originally published in 1962 by the University of Chicago Press which discusses the role of economic capitalism in liberal society. It has sold more than half a million copies since 1962 and has been translated into eighteen languages.[1]

Friedman argues for economic freedom as a precondition for political freedom. He defines "liberal" in European Enlightenment terms, contrasting with an American usage that he believes has been corrupted since the Great Depression.

The book identifies several places in which a free market can be promoted for both philosophical and practical reasons. Among other concepts, Friedman advocates ending the mandatory licensing of physicians and introducing a system of vouchers for school education.

  1. ^ 1992 edition preface of Capitalism and freedom, p. xi of the 2002 edition