Free to Choose: Who Protects the Worker?

This YouTube transcript features a discussion surrounding Milton Friedman’s “Free To Choose” episode on labor markets. Friedman argues that free markets, not labor unions, best protect workers, citing historical examples and contrasting the successes of deregulated economies with those hampered by unionization and minimum wage laws. Panelists debate the role of unions and minimum wage, with some arguing for their necessity in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring fair wages, while others contend they stifle competition and harm the economy. The discussion also explores the impact of immigration policies on the labor market and the economic benefits of free enterprise. Ultimately, the debate centers on the optimal balance between free market principles and government intervention in protecting worker interests.