Chapter 6, The Role of Government in Education Summary and Analysis

Schooling is mostly run by government, Friedman claims. This state of affairs was a gradual development. Government has dramatically and irresponsibly increased its power as a result.

Two arguments provide for government involvement in education. First, there is the claim that education has positive externalities which is to say that it provides social benefits not captured by its price. Second, there is the paternalistic argument that parents will not do best for their children. The former argued for general citizen education and the second for specialized vocational education. Friedman then distinguishes between education and schooling; neither is required for the other. The state largely schools.

Democratic societies cannot exist without a literate and informed population. Education can help as a result. The government can require education for this purpose...