In his eulogy for Milton Friedman Judge Richard Posner criticizes Friedman’s uncompromising opposition to conscription by claiming there are circumstances where the government’s need to raise a massive army would make it more efficient to impose a draft than raise taxes enough to pay a wage sufficient to induce enough people to volunteer to kill and die in war. Typical of Posner, the morality of the draft (or of taxes) or the question of whether a draft will encourage the state to wage more wars than if they had to rely on volunteers does not seem to concern him. All he worries about is the most “efficient” way for the state to achieve its ends. I wonder if Posner thinks there are circumstances where it is more efficient for a private employer to use slaves rather than pay a market wage? Never mind, I am afraid to ask.

Posner also attacks Friedman (and Hayek) for being to “dogmatic” in their defense of liberty. Wonder what the distinguished judge thinks of Mises and Rothbard?

Posner does make some good points against Friedman’s linking of democracy and capitalism. Of course, another great economist, who I suspect Posner would also find “dogmatic” in his defense of liberty, has already shown that democracy and socialism go hand in hand.