New Right social theory
- Key names in the New Right (neo-liberal) perspective are Milton Friedman and Peter Bauer.
- They both emphasised laissez-faire economic policy, otherwise known as a free market economy.
- In Capitalism and Freedom, Friedman argues the existence of a free market does not eliminate the need for government.
- On the contrary, government is essential both as a for deciding the rules of the game but as an umpire overseeing the rules are played correctly.
- Such a process reduces the issues politicians have to get involved with because the free market co-ordinates society so well. It gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they want.
Friedman argued governments should only get involved with four areas of the economy:
- Defence
- Law and Order
- The provision of the necessary public works that private enterprise doesn’t find profitable
- Protection from members of the community who ‘cannot be regarded as responsible individuals.’
sociologytwynham.com 
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