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larinda_booksandanxiety's review against another edition
5.0
A great read. This book shows how law should be simple and serve the people.
troyc's review against another edition
4.0
An alarmingly prescient text; who would have imagined in so short a period of time that an avowed socialist would be a viable candidate for the office of the President of the United States. Our society in large part simply takes things at face value and has lost the ability, even the will, to think critically — to ferret out truth and motive.
elwoodradley's review against another edition
4.0
Really insightful writing on the defense of liberty and limited government.
bclev's review against another edition
4.0
While being over 100 years old, this concepts in the book did line up well with things we are seeing today. The entire concept of you don't want the law (state) to provide the poor with ice then you must hate them and want them to suffer. Quite an interesting read.
andredias's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
"Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place."
Frédéric Bastiat's "The Law" stands as a timeless and influential treatise on the principles of liberty, justice, and the proper role of government. Published in 1850, Bastiat's work remains remarkably relevant and compelling, offering a profound defense of individual rights and a scathing critique of government intervention.
One of the strengths of "The Law" lies in Bastiat's eloquent and accessible writing style. He distills complex political and economic ideas into clear and concise language, making the text accessible to a wide audience. This accessibility is crucial for a work that seeks to communicate fundamental principles of liberty and justice to the general public, empowering individuals to understand and advocate for their rights.
Bastiat's central argument revolves around the concept of legal plunder, wherein he critiques the idea that the law can be perverted to serve the interests of certain groups at the expense of others. Through compelling examples and logical reasoning, he exposes the dangers of government overreach and advocates for the idea that the law should be a neutral force, protecting individual rights rather than infringing upon them.
Moreover, Bastiat's emphasis on the morality of law is a powerful aspect of his argument. He contends that a just and moral society is built on the foundation of respecting individual rights and property. By framing the discussion in moral terms, Bastiat appeals to the reader's sense of justice and fairness, reinforcing the ethical imperative of limiting government power.
" In short, is not liberty the freedom of every person to make full use of his faculties, so long as he does not harm other persons while doing so?"
Another noteworthy aspect of "The Law" is its emphasis on the unintended consequences of government intervention. Bastiat's exploration of the seen and the unseen consequences of policies serves as a valuable lesson in understanding the broader impacts of legislative actions. This analytical approach contributes to the book's enduring relevance, as it encourages readers to critically evaluate the potential consequences of government policies in contemporary contexts.
In conclusion, Bastiat's "The Law" stands as a masterful defense of individual liberty and a compelling critique of government intervention. Its enduring relevance, accessibility, and moral grounding make it a must-read for anyone interested in political philosophy, economics, and the principles that underpin a just and free society. Bastiat's work continues to inspire and enlighten readers, urging them to question the role of government and champion the cause of individual rights.
" Everyone wants to live at the expense of the state. They forget that the state wants to live at the expense of everyone."
" When goods do not cross borders, soldiers will."
Note: Book read from a different edition
Frédéric Bastiat's "The Law" stands as a timeless and influential treatise on the principles of liberty, justice, and the proper role of government. Published in 1850, Bastiat's work remains remarkably relevant and compelling, offering a profound defense of individual rights and a scathing critique of government intervention.
One of the strengths of "The Law" lies in Bastiat's eloquent and accessible writing style. He distills complex political and economic ideas into clear and concise language, making the text accessible to a wide audience. This accessibility is crucial for a work that seeks to communicate fundamental principles of liberty and justice to the general public, empowering individuals to understand and advocate for their rights.
Bastiat's central argument revolves around the concept of legal plunder, wherein he critiques the idea that the law can be perverted to serve the interests of certain groups at the expense of others. Through compelling examples and logical reasoning, he exposes the dangers of government overreach and advocates for the idea that the law should be a neutral force, protecting individual rights rather than infringing upon them.
Moreover, Bastiat's emphasis on the morality of law is a powerful aspect of his argument. He contends that a just and moral society is built on the foundation of respecting individual rights and property. By framing the discussion in moral terms, Bastiat appeals to the reader's sense of justice and fairness, reinforcing the ethical imperative of limiting government power.
" In short, is not liberty the freedom of every person to make full use of his faculties, so long as he does not harm other persons while doing so?"
Another noteworthy aspect of "The Law" is its emphasis on the unintended consequences of government intervention. Bastiat's exploration of the seen and the unseen consequences of policies serves as a valuable lesson in understanding the broader impacts of legislative actions. This analytical approach contributes to the book's enduring relevance, as it encourages readers to critically evaluate the potential consequences of government policies in contemporary contexts.
In conclusion, Bastiat's "The Law" stands as a masterful defense of individual liberty and a compelling critique of government intervention. Its enduring relevance, accessibility, and moral grounding make it a must-read for anyone interested in political philosophy, economics, and the principles that underpin a just and free society. Bastiat's work continues to inspire and enlighten readers, urging them to question the role of government and champion the cause of individual rights.
" Everyone wants to live at the expense of the state. They forget that the state wants to live at the expense of everyone."
" When goods do not cross borders, soldiers will."
Note: Book read from a different edition
thehokx's review against another edition
4.0
If the only reason for government is to insure liberty, then this text houses well reasoned conclusions. I do not necessarily agree with the initial supposition yet I agree with many of the points drawn.
cinnamonspy's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This book gives a fantastic explanation of what the purpose of the law should be and how it has been perverted.
poxav's review against another edition
4.0
The Law, as a fundamental work in libertarianism, provides a corresponding insight that I found enjoyable and, after a while, thought-provoking. Of course, 2022 isn't 1850. Technology and the evolution of society make some of Bastiat's apprehensions seem too extreme against the backdrop of mega-corporations and global inequality. Nevertheless, for what's basically the libertarian manifesto, its relevance won't be waning any time soon. Definitely something I'll continue to ruminate over.
tupacsgurl's review against another edition
2.0
This book was unconvincing and I felt it oversimplified some socialist principles.
michaelesch's review against another edition
5.0
This book was written in the 1800s and yet it rings true today in 2014. "Whatever point on the scientific horizon I begin my researches, I invariably reach this one conclusion: The solution to problems of human relationships is to be found in liberty". This book is full of amazing quotes. It begins with an economic outlook on people. Bastiat concludes that many things that government try to do are good when they are voluntary, but become immoral and inefficient when force is introduced. Let us take for example charity. Charity is the act of giving to another who is in need. This is moral and beautiful. Yet, when government tries to do this it is called theft, because there is the use of forced that is used in the charity, which makes it immoral and disgusting. It convolutes the virtue of giving.
The first part of the book was great and so were the last few pages. There was a middle section that talked heavily on political philosophers of the time. I was not as interested in this because though his argument is timeless the examples were not. I was not familiar with the people's arguments. I could still understand the overarching point, but it was not complete picture since I live some 200 years later and have not read that much of this period in history.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I suggest it for people who are curious about the liberty movement. IT is a short read (some 63 pages), but it will give you enough to chew on for years!
The first part of the book was great and so were the last few pages. There was a middle section that talked heavily on political philosophers of the time. I was not as interested in this because though his argument is timeless the examples were not. I was not familiar with the people's arguments. I could still understand the overarching point, but it was not complete picture since I live some 200 years later and have not read that much of this period in history.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I suggest it for people who are curious about the liberty movement. IT is a short read (some 63 pages), but it will give you enough to chew on for years!