The Education Economic Thought Of Friedman

Milton Friedman is a famous new liberal economist in the world, and a winner of the Nobel Prize. his economic theory is considered to be one of the most influential economic theories in the 20 th century. In education economics, he puts forward his education economic theory for the first time in 1955 in his《The role of government in education》:reduced the government’s control for education, weaken the functions of the government; make the education from government control back to the market control, in order to solve the American public education institution redundancy、loose、waste of resources, low efficiency, the condition of variable quality. Friedman in put forward theoretical basis as well as puts forward the practice plan, namely education voucher scheme; In order to facilitate its theoretical ideas to apply it to practice. Therefore, by studying the education economic thought of Friedman, it not only provide a theory for the education of our country economic system reform of the new way of thinking, but it also to provide a new way of practical.This paper from three angles-the life of Freedman,the theoretical origins of his educational economy though and period setting explains the historical background of Freedman’s educational economics thought, in order to further understand the main content. In this paper, divide the Freedman’s educational economics thought into two parts, they are the theory ideology of Freedman’s educational economics thought and the practice claims of Freedman’s educational economics thought. The theory ideology is the market liberalization ideology; include the main contents and function. The function includes redefining the government role in education and changing the situation of government monopoly education. And then we analyze the reason of why the thought bring. First is the influence of the new liberalism, second is the need to solve the education bureaucracy, and last is the product of a certain stage of capitalist development. And then we discuss the meaning of theory ideology of Freedman’s educational economics thought. The practice claims is education voucher. It includes the main contents of education voucher, and its influence of the government, school, and family. We rethink the education voucher, and discuss the meaning of practice claims. At the last, we analyze what we can enlighten and reference from Freedman’s educational economics thought. Study the action of China’s government purchase education service, analyze if we can application of Freedman’s educational economics thought in China, and puts forward the matters needing attention.Friedman’s education economic ideas have been put forward for 60 years old, but it still enduring; in the 60 years later can also find the wisdom of this thought and find its sparkle. Because of this, Friedman’s education economic thought to still be remembered the research and development, and constantly guide the worldwide based on the ideas of the reform and practice.