Book Review, “The Law”
In 1850 perhaps one of the most influential books ever published on natural rights was released, “The Law” by Frederic Bastiat and in the nick of time too. Frederic Bastiat passed away just a couple months after his most inspiring work was released. His previous works include, “The candle makers petition” and “Parable of the Broken Window”. These works are related in that they are focused around Austrian style economics and classical liberal beliefs. “The Law” is a series of short essays, if they can even be called that at times, arguing in favor of natural rights and individualism. The time of these writings were of the most importance at the time in France. France had just had it’s third revolution a couple years prior, 1848, and was in a bit of a chaotic state.
During the time after the revolution of 1848 many different ideologies came to the for front and one of the growing movements was that of socialism and a stronger more imposing state. In “The Law” we read many arguments against the socialist agenda and their logic taken to the end degree. Several French statesmen are called out by name in this book while they are quoted too. This allows Bastiat to counter their arguments when using their own words and logic they presented themselves.
To further summarize the book, the reader is shown the fallacy in logic of the socialists and when Bastiat follows the logic to the end we see not only the flaws in it but also how damaging and intruding the state simply is. Bastiat starts the book out by telling the reader that the law, state, has become a weapon to use against people. To quickly lay out this idea is bold, inspiring and sets the tone quickly.
What I find interesting is that all the arguments presented by the socialists over 150 years ago are exactly the same ones we hear today. Bastiat wastes no energy when combating these ideas and tears them down quickly and easily. It is easy to say that I agree with the arguments of the author.
This is one of the better books I’ve ever read, sure there is some bias there but this is my opinion. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone wanting to better understand liberty. Best of all, the book is free! You can pick up the book here in pdf, ebook or audio book format. I can’t recommend this book enough I would love for you all to read it and also give to a friend! To say that now is the perfect time to read this book would be wrong, any and every time would be a perfect time to read this book. Our liberties are under siege more and more whenever the state grows in size, which it does day after day. Understanding the the state is force used against another it becomes clear that there is such a thing as too much government, a point we passed long ago.
Thank you for reading and please don’t forget to like and share!
Keep that coffee warm for us.
LWS
