Pleather and Libertarianism
For a couple of years immediately following college, I worked behind the scenes of Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson. But Peter has been doing these interviews a long time, and there are scores of marvelous old UK episodes that I'm only coming upon for the first time now. This one, linked in today's installment of Ben Domenech's Transom, with the late Milton Friedman on the topic of libertarianism is really worth a watch.
The highlights:
1. Peter in pleather.
2. Milton Friedman on the two strains of libertarianism
FRIEDMAN But as a matter of fact there are two really different versions of libertarianism. The more extreme version of libertarianism has one central principle- it is immoral to initiate force on anyone else. That's the prime view, that's the Ayn Rand type of libertarianism.
ROBINSON So the coercive power of the state is immoral in and of itself...
FRIEDMAN Immoral in and of itself..and all you need to know to know that something of the state is immoral is whether it involves the initiation of force. That's one brand, now there's another brand which is one I would be favorable to which you could call consequentialist libertarianism.
3. Milton Friedman on the 4.5 cabinet departments he thinks are worth keeping. (Peter of course didn't ask Dr. Friedman for his opinion on the Dept. of Homeland Security since at the time of this recording, 1999, the DHS did not yet exist. But it's hard to imagine Dr. Friedman giving his thumbs up to a department that gave us the farce that is the TSA.)
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Comments:
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
The Not So Wild One. I can hear EJHill's computer warming up from here.
Edited on January 17, 2012 at 10:09pmRe: Pleather and Libertarianism
This episode is superb, and I only found it because a Ricochet commenter made reference to Friedman on UK. Such a treat!
Jun '10
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
Nice. I was a big fan of Uncommon Knowledge when it was on PBS; it's how I came to know who Peter Robinson was (who I still think is the best interviewer on or off television), and primarily why I became a Ricochet member :-).
Nov '11
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
I listened to this one a few weeks ago. I've always enjoyed it.
Aug '10
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
How many naugas had to die to make that jacket?
Aug '10
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
Way to hurt Rob Long's feelings!
Dec '11
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
I enjoyed the video when I first watched it. I find it interesting the quasi-support for a cap and trade system for 'pollution.'
Apr '11
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
Nice!
Aug '10
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
Charlotte
Nice! · Jan 17 at 2:02pm
Wow. I am trés impressed someone caught that reference!
Oct '11
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
One of my favorite episodes of uncommon knowledege. I watched it multiple times and allways discover something new. The Rene Girard episode is the same for me. Also you can watch the whole series of Free to Choose on google now- great way to spend a free afternoon.
Sep '10
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
Ben, I'm glad I pointed that interview out and you found the video I referenced. I also encourage everyone to go on YouTube and search "Milton Friedman Donahue". There are two full episodes of the Friedman on the Phil Donahue Show, one in 1979 I believe and another in early 1980. Besides getting about 45 minutes per episode of thw wonderful mind of Milton Friedman, one is struck by how many of the issues that we are dealing with then are central to the great debate today. Similarly, Friedman's solutions would be just as useful today as they were then.
Oct '11
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
I watched a few clips of one of the Donahue shows a while back. Milton explaining free market capitalism to Donahue has much the same effect as a magician showing an irritable dog a card trick.
But good on Donahue for squeezing something of substance on his show in between "women who love to much" and "Elvis sightings." More good than Oprah ever did- that's for sure.
Edited on January 18, 2012 at 2:37amRe: Pleather and Libertarianism
to me, the crinkling of pleather has always been a reminder of my freedom. the voices of intelligent people who understand human nature, yes. but also the crinkling of pleather.
Jun '10
Re: Pleather and Libertarianism
To me, the most memorable exchange to come out of those shows was this exchange between Friedman and Donahue on greed. Friedman not only comes across as disarming and funny, but he completely demolishes the premise of Donahue's question. It's obvious from Donahue's reaction that he really had nowhere to go after Friedman pointed out the blindingly obvious that greed is not the issue, as greed is always present in human behavior, not a symptom or byproduct of capitalism alone. (Keep in mind, of course, in 1979-1980, when the USSR was not yet obviously crumbling under its own weight.)