Watch Free To Choose - The Original 1980 TV Series

Name: Free To Choose - The Original 1980 TV Series
Released: 1980-01-11
Cast: Milton Friedman

1980
1 Season

Free To Choose is a 1980 television series from Free To Choose Media starring economist and Nobel laureate Milton Friedman. The series explores the principles of free market economics, emphasizing the importance of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and voluntary exchange. Over the course of ten one-hour episodes, Friedman presents his ideas in clear, accessible language, using a combination of interviews, lectures, and real-world examples to illustrate the benefits of free market policies.

The show begins by introducing the basic concepts of economics, such as supply and demand, and explaining how these principles apply to everyday situations. Friedman argues that individuals acting in their own self-interest can create a more efficient and effective economy than one controlled by government mandates. He discusses the dangers of inflation and explains how price controls can actually worsen shortages and lead to higher prices in the long run.

Throughout the series, Friedman focuses on specific policy areas and the ways in which government intervention can hinder rather than help economic growth. He examines the impact of minimum wage laws on employment, arguing that they often end up hurting the very people they are intended to help. He also discusses the role of unions and collective bargaining in the workplace, and highlights the negative consequences of government subsidies and protectionism.

One of the most compelling episodes of the series features Friedman traveling to Hong Kong, a city that has consistently placed first in the annual Index of Economic Freedom. He uses Hong Kong as an example of how free market policies can lead to economic prosperity, and contrasts its success with the economic struggles faced by nearby countries with heavy government regulations.

Another notable episode deals with the issues of poverty and welfare. Friedman argues that government welfare programs, while well-intentioned, can create a cycle of dependency that inhibits upward mobility. He suggests that a better solution would be to create a negative income tax, in which the government provides financial assistance to those in need without punishing them for working and earning their own income.

Throughout the series, Friedman emphasizes the importance of individual choice and personal responsibility, arguing that these values are essential for a functioning democracy. He also addresses common misconceptions about free market policies, such as the idea that they only benefit the wealthy, and offers counterarguments to popular criticism.

Overall, Free to Choose is a compelling and informative series that provides an accessible introduction to the principles of free market economics. Milton Friedman's clear and concise explanations, combined with real-life examples, make his arguments easy to understand and compelling. This series is an excellent resource for anyone seeking a better understanding of economic policies and their impact on society, and is as relevant today as it was when it first premiered.

Free To Choose - The Original 1980 TV Series is a series that ran for 1 seasons (9 episodes) between January 11, 1980 and on Free To Choose Media

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Seasons

10. How to Stay Free

January 11, 1980

Democracies have only recently been considered desirable. Historically, it was feared that democracies always self destruct when citizens, forgetting that you cannot remove want and misery through legislation, insist on government actions that physically and morally bankrupt their nation. Friedman explains why the United States has so far avoided this outcome and how we can continue to do so.

9. How to Cure Inflation

January 11, 1980

Inflation results when the amount of money printed or coined increases faster than the creation of new goods and services. Money is a "token" of the wealth of a nation. If more tokens are created than new wealth, it takes more tokens to buy the same goods. Friedman explains why politicians like inflation, and why wage and price controls are not solutions to the problem.

8. Who Protects the Worker?

January 11, 1980

Unions sometimes protect some workers - their members - but usually at the expense of other workers. Government protects its employees and special groups of workers at the expense of other workers. Both unions and government restrict freedom. Friedman explains how the competition of employers for the talents of workers leads to the highest wages and best working conditions.

6. What's Wrong with Our Schools?

January 11, 1980

Parental choice and parental responsibility in the education of children is a U.S. tradition and is consistent with a free society. Centralized government control has eroded freedom and adversely affected the quality of education. The poor help pay for education for the future rich. Friedman has long advocated using vouchers to solve the problem. He explains why as he visits the U.S. and Britain.

5. Created Equal

January 11, 1980

The Declaration of Independence says, "all men are created equal." Friedman explains that this did not mean all persons should or will have equal talents or income. Equal opportunity to better one's self, and the right to personally benefit from the gains realized, are consistent with freedom. Taking from some to give to others destroys freedom and removes the incentive for creating new wealth.

4. From Cradle to Grave

January 11, 1980

The welfare state arises from the attempt to do good with other people's money. Such attempts always fail because: Nobody spends somebody else's money as carefully as his own. Welfare is supply driven. Those spending the money use force to collect it and to insure those receiving it use it for "right" purposes. Good intentions are corrupted by bad means. Friedman visits U.S. and Britain.

3. Anatomy of Crisis

January 11, 1980

The Great Depression has been popularly viewed as a failure of capitalism. The stock market crash, the failure of the Bank of the United States, loss of personal savings, were visible symbols supporting this belief. As Friedman explains, the real cause was the unseen failure of government policy and action. Yet this crisis resulting from government failure leads to decades of government expansion.

2. The Tyranny of Control

January 11, 1980

Government planning and detailed control of economic activity lessens productive innovation, and consumer choice. Good, better, best, are replaced by "approved" or "authorized." Friedman shows how "established" industries or methods, seek government protection or subsidization in their attempts to stop or limit product improvements which they don't control. Friedman visits India, Japan and U.S.

1. The Power of the Market

January 11, 1980

America's freedom and prosperity derive from the combination of the idea of human liberty in America's Declaration of Independence with the idea of economic freedom in Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations. Friedman explains how markets and voluntary exchange organize activity and enable people to improve their lives. He also explains the price system. Friedman visits Hong Kong, U.S. and Scotland.

Description

Where to Watch Free To Choose - The Original 1980 TV Series

Free To Choose - The Original 1980 TV Series is available for streaming on the Free To Choose Media website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Free To Choose - The Original 1980 TV Series on demand at Amazon Prime and Amazon.