Free or Equal Questions

While watching Free or Equal, complete the following statements for

questions 1-9. Use the precise language from the video. Question 10
asks you to analyze a proposal and provide your unique perspective.
You do not need to use the same format as shown below (with boxes).
Use a format which works best for you.
1.

Professor Milton Friedmans research led him to believe in the power of

free markets and economic freedom.

2.

If the government gives everybody the same freedom to work . . .

some will do better than others. The result will be equality of
opportunity, but not equality of outcome.

3.

The free market enables people to go into any industry they want; to
trade with whomever they want; to buy in the cheapest market around
the world; to sell in the dearest market around the world. But most
important of all, if they fail, they bare the cause. If they succeed, they
get the benefit.

4.

In the example of the lead pencil, what conclusion did Professor

Friedman reach in the context of invisible hands?
To promote productive proficiency. To foster harmony and peace
among the peoples of the world.
5. Economists call the constant renewal of the economy Creative
Destruction. If we want to increase our wealth and opportunities, we
have to stop doing old things in old ways and start doing innovative
things in better ways. In other words, we have to be creative.
6. An example of creative destruction was used in the video. What
technology was created? What was destroyed? Why was this new
technology so important?
Created: The Cell Phone
Destroyed: Land Lines, and employees who fixed these land lines.
Important: It allows communication between sellers and buyers for
negotiating and delivery pick up times.

7.

The idea that the economic race should be so arranged that everybody
ends at the finish line at the same time rather than everyone starts at

the beginning line at the same time. This concept raises a very serious
problem for freedom. It is clearly in conflict with it, since it requires
that the freedom of some be restricted in order to provide the greater
benefits to others.
8.

In the last 100 years with relatively free markets, we have created
more wealth than in the 100,000 years before.

9.

As Milton Friedman said, The society that puts equality before

freedom will end up with neither. The society that puts freedom before
equality will end up with a great measure of both.
10. Professor Friedman compares the concept of equality of
opportunity to a race where everyone begins at the starting line at
the same time. In contrast, equality of outcome guarantees that
everyone finishes at the same time. Today, equality of outcome is
referred to as fair shares for all.
If we applied the fair shares for all concept in this class, all students
would receive an average grade of C. This would be accomplished by
taking points away from students earning As and Bs to give to
students earning Ds and Es. Distributing points equally would result in
fair grades for all.

Would you approve of this method in calculating your final

grade? Why or why not?

How would this differ from fair shares for all economically? For
example, whats the difference between a successful student being
required to give up some of his/her hard-earned grade and a successful
person being expected to give more of his/her hard-earned income? If
you support redistribution of income and wealth, shouldnt you also
be willing to redistribute academic grades? After all, many of your
fellow students may not have had the advantages in education and
upbringing that youve had.
Address the above questions in your own words, in a minimum of
3 paragraphs.
I dont agree with fair shares for all. Those who work hard and are
doing what they are suppose to deserve to see higher results than
those who did not do the work. I do understand that not all students
have the same advantages and upbringing as others. However that
should not effect there motivation to be better. When you are trying
your hardest, and putting all you have into your work, you will
eventually improve. You need to work for what you have. It is not fair to

do nothing and get the same grade that your fellow students have that
worked so hard to achieve those goals.
As far as fair shares for all in income and wealth, I still stand by my
disagreement to this statement. I understand the difference between
grades in school and our actual income and wealth. However those
who are wealthy typically work for that income just as students work
for their grade. Not all are equal in the way they are brought up. It is
very hard to climb up the income ladder when you have been born into
poverty. However it is not impossible. You may have to work a little
hard than those born into wealth, but it is possible. We need to work
for what we have.
I understand that not everyone was given an equal start. Many are
born into the situations they are currently in. I also understand that
not everyone has the same abilities to move up in life as others. I was
born into a middle class family that expected a lot out of me in school.
I had to work to get the grades I got. However it was still my
responsibility. I had to be motivated enough, and want the good grades
bad enough to receive them. You have to work hard if you want to
succeed. Its very rarely given out for free. I do believe that some need
severe help. It is always easier to have help from others, and when we
are in the position to help I think we should. But we should not have to
give away what we have earned to those who did not try to get where
we are.

Reflective Writing
Compose 2-3 paragraphs explaining how completing this assignment
helped you achieve at least two (2) of the SLCC Learning Outcomes:

Learning Outcome #1: Think Critically

This Video, Free or equal helped me think critically and creatively.

I had little knowledge on our economy before watching this video.
I thought it was really interesting that they showed viewers the
difference of doing what they think is right verse what actually
works in our government. All countries including our own, try
many different creative ways to help better our economy and
government. We dont realize how much critical thinking this
includes! It is so important to find the best way to do things. We
saw in the video all the different ways the economy can effect us.
Just like the video showed creative destruction, we cant continue
to do things how we use to because it worked in the past. We
have to adapt to news ways to find the best way for our country
now.

Learning Outcome
Knowledge

#2:

Acquire

Substantive

This was an important learning outcome to me, because again I

was able to acquire knowledge about our economy that I did not
have before. I was able to learn the differences between an equal
market and a free market, and how that affects our country and
those living in it. Knowing how our economy works will impact the
way we do things such as voting. This is something that I dont
think a lot of people understand enough when voting. Especially
those young like I am.