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Summary: A French speaks ...
Review: I just read the book today. In French, but taken off the National Library online as this book is not printed in the nowadays Communist France.
Twice today I got tears in my eyes ...
First when I read the book.
Second when I read your Americans reviews.Thanks God some people still remember who Tocqueville and Bastiat are !!! They're almost considered subversive material in my country now. A simple, iconoclastic book which seems too basics for left-wing "publicists" but is more refreshing than many elaborate mathematical heavy treaties. To be put between a "Road to Serfdom" and "1984". Read on !
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Summary: A great, short piece bashing the state on moral grounds
Review: While Bastiat may make one never want to hear the phrase "legal plunder" again, the message of this pamphlet is as relevant now as it was in 1850. Bastiat, a little known Philosopher, and Economist, as well as a personal hero shows how the state lacks the morality of private actors. In so doing, he uses an approach to show that socialism, and the state are contrary to any fundamental system of "law". Bastiat vividly and cogently attacks institutionalized theft, and notes that all government leeches off stolen money to operate. His book suggests that government be limited to protecting from force or fraud. Very intuitive, reccomended as an introduction to liberty for any reader, middle school or older.
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Summary: Excellent defence of limited government
Review: In this classic essay, Bastiat discusses the proper role of government in society. He explains that all government wealth redistribution comes at the expense of the liberty and property of those who are forced to fund it. But this is unethical, since if it is wrong for an individual to forcibly take your property and give to someone else, thus it is equally wrong for an organisation of people to do the same. Secondly, large wealth transfers create an incentive to control them. Thus a government dedicated to redistributing wealth will be fought over, so the winning group can redistribute society's wealth as they choose. Given human nature, this will involve giving it to their supporters and taking it from everyone else. Instead of existing to protect the natural rights of everyone in society, the law will be repeatedly be perverted by various competing factions and used to loot the rest of us in turn. The law will be changed from a protector of justice and liberty, into a creator of conflict, a servant of vested interests and nepotism, and a destroyer of property rights and freedom. Furthermore, all government activity requires forcibly raised funds to operate. This means that one cannot help one social group without harming another. The law therefore cannot be an instrument of equality or "social justice" without infringing people's liberty, seizing their property, and eventually causing social conflict and corruption. Bastiat's suggested alternative is a system of law which limits itself solely to defending against infringements against one's person, property, or liberty. This is the only system which prevents injustice and "plunder", without at the same time promulgating it. It is therefore the only system compatible with freedom.
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Summary: A must read for all Americans in the America today.
Review: This famous treatise on the law was written by the French economist, statesmen and author Frederic Bastiat in 1850. It was written and published as a pamphlet to combat the rising tide of socialism which was spreading throughout Europe at that time (the Communist Manifesto was written in 1848). Mr. Bastiat analyzes the humanistic concepts & harmful results of socialism, and shows what the law really is and how it benefits society.
The Law was once used as a text book to explain the principles of law, justice, politics and economics. It is as timely today as it was in 1850, because the same socialist-communist ideas and plans that were adopted in France are now sweeping America, and are again trying to supplant the true law.
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Summary: The best secular book investment you'll ever make!!
Review: This is it! In 60 odd pages, Bastiat concisely describes why attempts to redistribute wealth and resources for societal equity amount to no more than legal plunder and ultimately corrupt and weaken society. This book, perhaps more than any other, helps Conservatives young and old to crystalize their arguments and diffuse the feel good arguments of liberal and socialist utopians.
Buy a copy for yourself, and at this price, several copies for your friends and family. Makes a GREAT stocking stuffer!
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Summary: A rock upon which to build!
Review: Have you suspected that taxation was a bad thing? But you don't have the amunition to really *prove* that it is bad? This book efficiently lays out the arguments for liberty in a timeless manner. You will understand why majority rule does not necessarily lead to an organized society, rather it can lead to the majority looting the minority through legal means. This book is a work of art, a classic. It is short and does not belabor each point made. A must have for any complete library.
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Summary: Necessary Reading
Review: This short book could practically serve as a tract in favor of libertarianism and classic liberalism (the latter not to be confused with the modern socialist "liberalism" of the U.S. Democrat Party). I heartily recommend it, and further recommend that in consideration of its low price the reader consider buying a couple of extra copies to give to coworkers, friends or family that also long for liberty.
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Summary: Superb
Review: This masterful exposition should be read (and understood) by all - especially denizens of the Beltway!
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Summary: A BASIC DOCUMENT OF FREEDOM
Review: There are many good books on freedom, rights, good government, etc. But only rarely do we come across something as fundamental as Common Sense, The Declaration of Independence, The Federalist, or the U.S. Constitution. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE FUNDAMENTAL DOCUMENTS OF LIBERTY. Short, consise, this book explains in simple terms the importance of freedom of choice and the evils of "legalized plunder." He also shows that despots usually are attracted to using the law to do their dirty work for them. THIS BOOK CAN CHANGE THE WORLD IF ENOUGH PEOPLE READ IT.
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Summary: The Law Unveiled
Review: Simply The book on Liberty - Bastiats "The Law" is packed with genius. A disclosure of why big government doesn't work and a discussion of the real purpose of the law - to protect property against plunder.
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