In Deirdre McCloskey’s book “How to be Human ** Though an Economist” I came across the following dialogue between Milton Friedman and George Stigler:

“George: Milton, you’re such a preacher! If people want free trade, they’ll get it. If they don’t want it, no amount of jaw-boning by economists will change their minds.

Milton: Ah: that’s where we differ, George. We both admire markets, but you think they’ve already worked.

George: And why not? People are self-interested, and they vote their pocketbooks—that’s enough market for me. They bought tariffs. Tariffs must be what they want.

Milton: No: they pursue their interests but often do not know what their interests are. People need education. The average citizen has no idea that a tariff hurts him.

George: Education! Try educating a lobbyist for the textile industry.

Milton: As I said, that’s where we differ: I’m a teacher, and think that people do s o m e things because they are ignorant.

George: And I’m a scientist, an economic scientist: people do what they do because they are wise.”

So, are you a Stiglerite or a Friedmanite?