In “Shrink Government,” financial expert and columnist Archie Richards delivers a passionate argument that America's problems stem not from bad policies, but from government itself. Drawing on decades of economic expertise, Richards methodically demonstrates how federal, state, and local governments—now constituting 40% of GDP—have become too large, too intrusive, and ultimately harmful to the very people they claim to help.
Richards challenges conventional wisdom by revealing how government programs ostensibly designed to help the poor often achieve the opposite effect. From welfare to healthcare, from education to monetary policy, he examines how government intervention distorts markets, increases costs, and widens the gap between rich and poor.
The book offers a bold vision: reduce government to 5% of GDP, privatize most services, eliminate most regulations, and restore individual liberty. Richards outlines practical alternatives for welfare, healthcare, education, and monetary policy that rely on free markets rather than government force. He also presents provocative solutions for the national debt crisis, including selling federal land and resources to private owners who would assume portions of the debt.
Whether addressing climate change, foreign policy, or the Federal Reserve, Richards consistently demonstrates how smaller government and freer markets would create a more prosperous and equitable society for all Americans.
If you enjoyed “Free to Choose,” “Economics in One Lesson,” and “Basic Economics,” you'll love “Shrink Government.”
