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Liberty Studies is an inter-disciplinary field of inquiry dedicated to understanding the foundations, meanings, and implications of what it is to be free. It poses the fundamental question of "What can I do with my life?" It questions the power of institutions and the legitimacy of the constraints they impose. It studies the costs and benefits of free human interaction and examines the need of naturally social animals to be left alone.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Bastiat, Frederic
Bastiat, Frederic. The Law. 1850. Irvington, NY.: Foundation for Economic Education. 1950. 75 pp.
A separate Publication of a new translation (by Dean Russell) of one of Bastiat's most famous pamphlets. "Law," Bastiat maintains, "is solely the organization of the individual right of self-defense which existed before law was formalized. Law is justice." But the law has been perverted, and applied to annihilating the justice it was supposed to maintain. Protectionism, socialism and communism are all forms of legal plunder.
BK: This book is currently online and can be found in its entirety in the Freedom Library on the Foundation for Economic Education's website. This is the same translation Hazlitt refers to but with a new foreward by Walter Williams, an introduction by the President of FEE, Richard Ebeling, and an afterword by the editor of the Freeman, Sheldon Richman.
A separate Publication of a new translation (by Dean Russell) of one of Bastiat's most famous pamphlets. "Law," Bastiat maintains, "is solely the organization of the individual right of self-defense which existed before law was formalized. Law is justice." But the law has been perverted, and applied to annihilating the justice it was supposed to maintain. Protectionism, socialism and communism are all forms of legal plunder.
BK: This book is currently online and can be found in its entirety in the Freedom Library on the Foundation for Economic Education's website. This is the same translation Hazlitt refers to but with a new foreward by Walter Williams, an introduction by the President of FEE, Richard Ebeling, and an afterword by the editor of the Freeman, Sheldon Richman.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Bastiat, Frederic
Bastiat, Frederic. Economic Sophisms. 1843-1850. Many editions. 2 vols. 548 pp. 564 pp.
"Bastiat, a friend of Cobden, was opposed to all descriptions of public waste and government interference. Both by his writings and by his action as a politician, he waged inceasing war against Bureaucracy, Protection and Socialism. The book cited above gained a great reputation; it is very witty and written in an attractive style. The Petition of the Candlemakers against the sun, which interfered with their industry, is well known. Each short study attacks some economic error, or pleads for the removal of some restrictions. The truth to be brought out is often enforced by dialogue or some other lively method. Bastiat was an optimist. His view was that the various human impulses and activities would, under free competition in an honest and peaceful government, result in steady progress and increasing prosperity and happiness. This was the theme of his Harmonies Economiques, of which only the first volume appeared owing to his untimely death.
"His complete works with introductory biography were published in France in 1855 shortly after his death. They include many brilliant pamphlets and articles against the fallacies of State Socialism and Communism, which were rampart in Paris in the last years of Bastiat's life." - PI.
"In Sophismes Economiques we have the completest and most effective, the wisest and wittiest exposure of protectionism and its principles, reasonings, consequences which exists in any language. Bastiat was the opponent of socialism. In this respect also he had no equal among the economists of France." - Encyclopedia Americana.
BK: I have this two volume set and it is a joy to read.
"Bastiat, a friend of Cobden, was opposed to all descriptions of public waste and government interference. Both by his writings and by his action as a politician, he waged inceasing war against Bureaucracy, Protection and Socialism. The book cited above gained a great reputation; it is very witty and written in an attractive style. The Petition of the Candlemakers against the sun, which interfered with their industry, is well known. Each short study attacks some economic error, or pleads for the removal of some restrictions. The truth to be brought out is often enforced by dialogue or some other lively method. Bastiat was an optimist. His view was that the various human impulses and activities would, under free competition in an honest and peaceful government, result in steady progress and increasing prosperity and happiness. This was the theme of his Harmonies Economiques, of which only the first volume appeared owing to his untimely death.
"His complete works with introductory biography were published in France in 1855 shortly after his death. They include many brilliant pamphlets and articles against the fallacies of State Socialism and Communism, which were rampart in Paris in the last years of Bastiat's life." - PI.
"In Sophismes Economiques we have the completest and most effective, the wisest and wittiest exposure of protectionism and its principles, reasonings, consequences which exists in any language. Bastiat was the opponent of socialism. In this respect also he had no equal among the economists of France." - Encyclopedia Americana.
BK: I have this two volume set and it is a joy to read.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Baster, A.S.J.
Baster, A.S.J. The Little Less. London: Methuen. 1947. 161 pp.
A witty and well-informed little book on " the political economy of restrictionism." It consists mainly of a satiric history of the "lunatic years" in Great Britain between 1919 and 1939, when various ingenious devices were introduced by which everybody expected to get a little more for producing a little less. The story is told under the separate chapter headings of Producing Less, Growing Less, Working Less, Transporting Less, and Trading Less. There are also chapters on The Politics of Restrictionism and The Political Economy of Freedom.
A witty and well-informed little book on " the political economy of restrictionism." It consists mainly of a satiric history of the "lunatic years" in Great Britain between 1919 and 1939, when various ingenious devices were introduced by which everybody expected to get a little more for producing a little less. The story is told under the separate chapter headings of Producing Less, Growing Less, Working Less, Transporting Less, and Trading Less. There are also chapters on The Politics of Restrictionism and The Political Economy of Freedom.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Bastable, C.F.
Bastable, C.F. The Theory of International Trade. 1897, etc. Macmillan. 197 pp.
This short book, which first appeared in 1897, long held the field as the standard exposition of the "classical" theory of foreign trade and policy. It is balanced, vigorous and lucid, and uncompromisingly defends freedom of trade. Bastable's "principle conclusion as to conduct" is that "Governments in their dealings with foreign trade should be guided by the much-vilified maxim of laissez faire. To avoid misinterpretation, let it be remembered that the precept rests on no theory of abstract right, or vague sentiment of cosmopolitanism, but on the well-founded belief that national interests are thereby advanced, and that even if we benefit others by an enlightened policy, we are ourselves richly rewarded."
BK: Sounds interesting, especially if it was the standard of its day. Even more interesting is the fact that many defenders of the free market find it necessary to discredit other advocates of the free market who do not have the same foundational beliefs. Open discourse will involve disagreement. However, it is one thing to argue a counter point and another simply to brush off other theories as abstract or vague. Ad Hominem is a falacy no matter who commits it.
This short book, which first appeared in 1897, long held the field as the standard exposition of the "classical" theory of foreign trade and policy. It is balanced, vigorous and lucid, and uncompromisingly defends freedom of trade. Bastable's "principle conclusion as to conduct" is that "Governments in their dealings with foreign trade should be guided by the much-vilified maxim of laissez faire. To avoid misinterpretation, let it be remembered that the precept rests on no theory of abstract right, or vague sentiment of cosmopolitanism, but on the well-founded belief that national interests are thereby advanced, and that even if we benefit others by an enlightened policy, we are ourselves richly rewarded."
BK: Sounds interesting, especially if it was the standard of its day. Even more interesting is the fact that many defenders of the free market find it necessary to discredit other advocates of the free market who do not have the same foundational beliefs. Open discourse will involve disagreement. However, it is one thing to argue a counter point and another simply to brush off other theories as abstract or vague. Ad Hominem is a falacy no matter who commits it.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Barber, Thomas H.
Barber, Thomas H. Where We Are At. Scribner's. 1950. 250 pp.
The author, who has been a lawyer, city official, and cowpuncher, describes his book as "a guide for enlightened conservatives." He urges removal of all price-fixing, subsidies and special group privileges and return to a free market economy.
BK: I've never read anything by a cowpuncher.
The author, who has been a lawyer, city official, and cowpuncher, describes his book as "a guide for enlightened conservatives." He urges removal of all price-fixing, subsidies and special group privileges and return to a free market economy.
BK: I've never read anything by a cowpuncher.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Baker, John R.
Baker, John R. Science and the Planned State. Macmillan. 1945. 120 pp.
Dr. Baker, a lecturer in zoology at Oxford University, contends that central planning and direction of scientific research do more to inhibit than to promote the growth of true scientific knowledge and discovery.
Dr. Baker, a lecturer in zoology at Oxford University, contends that central planning and direction of scientific research do more to inhibit than to promote the growth of true scientific knowledge and discovery.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Bailward, W.A.
Bailward, W.A. The Slippery Slope and Other Papers. London: Murray. 1920. 236 pp.
"A collection of essays and articles written over a period of twenty years during which the author was engaged in Poor Law and charitable administration. By 'the slippery slope' is meant the path of least resistance in dealing with social problems, that is, the path of pauperism and Socialism." - PI.
Bailward, W.A. and Loch, C.S. Old Age Pensions. 1903.
"A well-argued case against old age pensions. Its interest is chiefly historical, but it might well be read by students interested in the history of ideas." - PI.
"A collection of essays and articles written over a period of twenty years during which the author was engaged in Poor Law and charitable administration. By 'the slippery slope' is meant the path of least resistance in dealing with social problems, that is, the path of pauperism and Socialism." - PI.
Bailward, W.A. and Loch, C.S. Old Age Pensions. 1903.
"A well-argued case against old age pensions. Its interest is chiefly historical, but it might well be read by students interested in the history of ideas." - PI.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Bagehot, Walter
Bagehot, Walter. The English Constitution. 1867. Oxford University Press. 1933. 312 pp.
This classic work was the first to make clear the real nature of the British constitution in its modern development. That constitution is not based, as Montesque thought, on the "separation of powers," but, on the contrary, on "the close union, the nearly complete fusion, of the executive and legislative powers." In this respect Bagehot contrasted the British and American constitutions to the disadvantage of the latter. As the preservation of ordered liberty depends upon the existence of a sound political system, Bagehot's book deserves the close study of Americans as well as Englishmen. He was a brilliant stylist as well as a brilliant thinker.
Bagehot, Walter. Economic Studies. 1880. Stanford Calif.: Academic Reports. 1953. 236 pp.
The essays in this book mainly elaborate classical English laissez-faire economics. They deal with Adam Smith, Malthus, Ricardo, "the late Mr. Mill," and such subjects as "The Postulates of English Political Economy" and "The Growth of Capital." "Bagehot, Editor of The Economist, was one on the finest thinkers and writers of his time. He was always an advocate of individual
and commercial freedom. His best known books are on the English Constitution and Lombard Street." - PI.
This classic work was the first to make clear the real nature of the British constitution in its modern development. That constitution is not based, as Montesque thought, on the "separation of powers," but, on the contrary, on "the close union, the nearly complete fusion, of the executive and legislative powers." In this respect Bagehot contrasted the British and American constitutions to the disadvantage of the latter. As the preservation of ordered liberty depends upon the existence of a sound political system, Bagehot's book deserves the close study of Americans as well as Englishmen. He was a brilliant stylist as well as a brilliant thinker.
Bagehot, Walter. Economic Studies. 1880. Stanford Calif.: Academic Reports. 1953. 236 pp.
The essays in this book mainly elaborate classical English laissez-faire economics. They deal with Adam Smith, Malthus, Ricardo, "the late Mr. Mill," and such subjects as "The Postulates of English Political Economy" and "The Growth of Capital." "Bagehot, Editor of The Economist, was one on the finest thinkers and writers of his time. He was always an advocate of individual
and commercial freedom. His best known books are on the English Constitution and Lombard Street." - PI.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Bagehot, Walter (FML)
Bagehot, Walter. Physics and Politics. 1869. Several editions. (Knopf. 1948.) 230 pp.
An original and penetrating study of the impact of science and invention on politics, and of political institutions on knowledge. Bagehot shows how in the early history of mankind blind obedience to usage and custom seemed necessary to social cohesion and survival, but after the transition from the principle of status to that of contract was finally achieved, it was liberty that ensured the greatest social strength and progress. "As soon as governments by discussion have become strong enough to secure a stable existence, and as soon as they have broken the fixed rule of old custom, and have awakened the dormant inventiveness of men, then, for the first time, almost every part of human nature begins to spring forward. ... And this is the true reason of all those panegyrics on liberty which are often so measured in expression but are in essence so true to life and nature. Liberty is the strengthening and developing power."
An original and penetrating study of the impact of science and invention on politics, and of political institutions on knowledge. Bagehot shows how in the early history of mankind blind obedience to usage and custom seemed necessary to social cohesion and survival, but after the transition from the principle of status to that of contract was finally achieved, it was liberty that ensured the greatest social strength and progress. "As soon as governments by discussion have become strong enough to secure a stable existence, and as soon as they have broken the fixed rule of old custom, and have awakened the dormant inventiveness of men, then, for the first time, almost every part of human nature begins to spring forward. ... And this is the true reason of all those panegyrics on liberty which are often so measured in expression but are in essence so true to life and nature. Liberty is the strengthening and developing power."
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Backman, Jules (FML)
Backman, Jules. Wages and Prices. Irvington, N.Y.: Foundation for Economic Education. 1947. 88pp.
An excellent statistical reference work on the levels and relationships of wages, prices, costs and profits in recent years. The author points out how these facts are ignored or misread by those who are trying to fix or change wages and prices by force. The evils of price control, labor monopolies and currency inflation are dealt with incidentally.
BK: Stay tuned for Walter Bagehot.
An excellent statistical reference work on the levels and relationships of wages, prices, costs and profits in recent years. The author points out how these facts are ignored or misread by those who are trying to fix or change wages and prices by force. The evils of price control, labor monopolies and currency inflation are dealt with incidentally.
BK: Stay tuned for Walter Bagehot.
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