“A society that puts equality—in the sense of equality of outcome—ahead of freedom will end up with neither equality nor freedom. The use of force to achieve equality will destroy freedom, and the force, introduced for good purposes, will end up in the hands of people who use it to promote their own interests. On the other hand, a society that puts freedom first will, as a happy by-product, end up with both greater freedom and greater equality. . . . A free society releases the energies and abilities of people to pursue their own objectives. It prevents some people from arbitrarily suppressing others. It does not prevent people from achieving positions of privilege, but so long as freedom is maintained, it prevents those positions of privilege from becoming institutionalized.” —Milton Friedman, Free to Choose (1980)

Which of the following statements is most consistent with the author’s argument in this passage?

a. Undermining freedom will extinguish both freedom and equality

b. There should be more emphasis on governmental action to achieve equality.

c. Individual freedom and equality are not compatible values.

d. Equality is not an important outcome in society.