Milton Friedman s The Second Treatise Of Civil Government

Societies are constantly evolving and reinventing themselves in order to keep up with the demands of the governed. Contesting ideas about what would improve a given society versus harm it often clash and lead to new debates, expanding the realm of issues that must be addressed. Therefore, what constitutes a good society is largely a moral question; for example, while some may value income equality as being one of the hallmarks of a fair and just society, others may view competition as a necessary means to drive up productivity and make sure the most capable individuals have the greatest chance at success. However, certain essential values, including the ability for people to oppose the government, the presence of order, or the ability for†¦show more content†¦Locke goes on to clarify that opposition of the government must be a group effort by asserting that, â€Å"...it is as impossible for a few oppressed men to disturb the government when the body of the people donâ€℠¢t think themselves concerned in it as it is for a raving madman or headstrong malcontent to overturn a well settled state; the people being no more inclined to follow the oppressed few into a fight than to follow the solitary madman† (page 68). In this colorful hypothetical situation, Locke is drawing the conclusion that in order for any kind of restructuring or resistance of the government to be successful, action must be a group effort on behalf of the citizens. The lone wolf critics alone simply do not have enough power or influence to incite wide-scale change, but if the majority of the populace is dissatisfied, then modifications of the current system could be possible. Milton Friedman, in his 1962 book, Capitalism and Freedom, expresses similar ideas to those summarized in Locke’s Second Treatise on Civil Government, although in a slightly different frame. Friedman offers the ability to mobilize reform in capitalist societies as a benefit over socialist societies , but in a sense he echoes the same idea that the ability to oppose or amend the government is a hallmark of a good society. He explains that, â€Å"...no society could be stable ifShow MoreRelatedDo you agree with Milton Friedman’s (1970) claim that :  « the only responsibility of business is to increase its profits  » ?2913 Words   |  12 Pagesï » ¿Do you agree with Milton Friedman’s (1970) claim that  :  «Ã‚  the only responsibility of business is to increase its profits  Ã‚ »Ã‚  ? Milton Friedman was an American economist, statistician and writer, who had a massive impact on the research agenda of the economics profession. His famous words â€Å"the only responsibility of business is to increase its profits† (Friedman, Milton. 1970) led to many controversial debates on whether businesses should have ethics or if profit should be their main  goal. CorporateRead MoreCorporate Irresponsibility and Corporate Social Responsibility: Competing Realities7010 Words   |  29 Pages(or CSI-CSR bi-polar) model allows for greater clarity and understanding of the concepts that constitute and deï ¬ ne these terms. It is suggested that CSI is a term better suited to describing the workings of the ‘‘old’’ shareholder business model (Friedman, 1962) and that CSR is more applicable to the workings of the new and emerging stakeholder business model (Freeman, 1984). The CSI-CSR model allows for discussion and positioning of issues around CSR . Communication about issues of social responsibilityRead MoreJurisprudential Theories on IPR13115 Words   |  53 Pagesenables the exercise of subjective freedom rather than a consequence of civil liberties. Thus, literary property is also a manifestation of a persons free will. Hegels concept of individual, personal rights as a basis of copyright was influenced by Kant and Fichte and had some bearing on the later theories of Gareis, Gierke and Bluntschli, even if Hegels legal theory was not referred to generally by German jurists in the second half of the nineteenth century. There are 3 golden rules and passesRead MoreThe Impact of Agricultural Sector on Economic Growth in Nigeria18675 Words   |  75 Pagesmention some persons as a mark of my gratitude and appreciation, the list here cannot be exhaustive of all those who have in one way or the other contributed and still contribute to my research and academic career. I would like to pay tribute to Mr. S. Nwakwanogo, of blessed memory, who imparted key reading and study skills to me as early as my primary school age. In the same vein, let me thank all the teachers who taught me at the secondary school level. I particularly thank Mr. J. Usifo (English