Milton Friedman's Voucher Proposal and the Privatization of American Education

Abstract

This essay analyzes the inconsistencies in Milton Friedman's proposal for a market-based public education system through school vouchers. The author argues that voucher policy has been executed inefficiently and has become a political tool for the religious right, tied to issues of race, class, segregation, and sectarian education struggles. The tension between the values of the religious citizenry and those supporting racial justice is highlighted, along with the confrontation between the voucher movement and the accountability movement in education. Despite state and national education policy programs demanding greater oversight of private schools, there is no serious effort underway to establish a uniform curriculum. Ultimately, Friedman's ideas have not withstood the test of time, and the inconsistencies and conflicts within his logic have never been resolved.

Keywords: Milton Friedman, School Vouchers, Public Education, Religious Education

JEL Classification: I23, I24, B3, B31