Elon Musk channels the spirit of a renowned economist as he prepares to tackle government inefficiency alongside fellow billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy.
According to Fox Business, Musk expressed admiration for Milton Friedman's perspective on government reduction while sharing a historic interview of the Nobel laureate discussing which federal agencies should be eliminated.
The Tesla CEO and Ramaswamy are set to lead President-elect Trump's newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Their appointment signals a significant shift toward potentially dramatic changes in federal government structure, drawing inspiration from Friedman's conservative economic principles.
Friedman's interview, shared by Musk on X, provided a comprehensive analysis of federal agencies he believed should be abolished or maintained. The economist's vision focused on maintaining only essential government functions such as national defense, justice administration, and basic peacekeeping operations.
The late economist advocated for the complete elimination of several major departments, including Agriculture, Commerce, and Education. His perspective aligned with a minimalist approach to government, suggesting that many federal agencies had expanded beyond their necessary scope.
Musk's endorsement of Friedman's views through social media suggests a similar approach might influence DOGE's future operations. The shared interview represents a potential roadmap for the department's upcoming efficiency initiatives.
Friedman's assessment included specific recommendations for various departments. He supported maintaining the Department of Defense while suggesting the nuclear-related functions of the Energy Department be transferred under military oversight.
The economist provided nuanced views on certain agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services. He acknowledged the necessity of some public health functions while recommending significant reductions in the department's overall scope and size.
In discussing the Department of the Interior, Friedman proposed a unique approach. He suggested maintaining the agency temporarily until federal land could be sold off, retaining only essential government building locations.
Milton Friedman's core philosophy, as shared by Musk, emphasized three fundamental government functions. According to Friedman:
The federal government should be stripped down to its basic functions, which he said are to preserve the peace, defend the country, [and] provide a mechanism whereby individuals can adjudicate their disputes.
The new Department of Government Efficiency under Musk and Ramaswamy appears poised to implement significant changes to the federal structure. Their leadership, influenced by Friedman's principles, suggests a comprehensive review of government agencies and their functions lies ahead.
Elon Musk, in his new role as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, has signaled his alignment with Milton Friedman's vision for a streamlined federal government. By sharing the economist's detailed analysis of which agencies should be eliminated or preserved, Musk has provided insight into potential future government restructuring.
The initiative, developed under President-elect Trump's administration, aims to evaluate and potentially reduce federal agencies based on their necessity and efficiency. With Musk and Ramaswamy at the helm, DOGE is positioned to implement significant changes to government structure, guided by Friedman's conservative economic principles and focused on maintaining only essential government functions.
