The Law

Read it

This read definitely shows the pitfalls of socialism. We should be careful of things we ask for.

This is a pretty small book and had to understand its full meaning. It consists of an essay written by Bastiat, one of his most notable works. I would recommend the book but I wouldnt this edition. It had no preface, no words whatsoever about the author, the time of the publishing of this essay or historic context. I had to go online to search for all of this. A book like this needs at least double its content to specify certain things as historical background, about the life and beliefs of the author, about his other works etc. As I said, I do recommend the book, but try and find another edition with at least an introduction to this work. Overall this edition was dry and of a poor quality of paper and print.

Law is justice. Though written in 1850, this persuasive argument for Natural Law and the free market by French economist, Frédéric Bastiat is, still, absolutely relevant today. What is the solution for a freer more prosperous society, limited government or, the socialistic, legal plunder of wealth that is growing like a cancer across our great nation? Three factors that are crucial, as quoted from Thomas DiLorenzo in the forward: Bastiat believed that all human beings possessed the God-given natural rights of `individuality, liberty, [and] property. And, from Bastiat himself: The mission of Law is not to oppress persons and plunder them of their property, even though the Law may be acting in a philanthropic spirit. Its mission is to protect property. As a personal witness of corrupt law, he quotes varied interventionists throughout history followed by an argument against, at times with a touch of sarcasm. Personality, liberty and property are superior to all human legislation; it is not because men have made laws that these exist, for they existed since the beginning. This God given Law (Natural Law) reaps prosperity, however, as we have seen, it can also be perverted. A Good accompaniment: Lex Rex by Samuel Rutherford

Frederick Bastiat was a French Farmer in the first half of the 19th century who watched his countrys government assume more and more power. That is what I thought made this book unique - In the first paragraph, he states his intent of the book to be an alert to his countrymen - which is probably why the book is so emotional as well as succinct. Bastiat manages to describe the purpose of law, from a religious standpoint, in the first 3-4 pages. The rest of the book is mostly specific details of how his description of the proper purpose of the law has been thwarted in France in 1850. Many of the same principals apply today. For three bucks and an hour of your time, this book is guaranteed to engage you and make you think. In my experience, its ability to persuade people is uncanny.

I have a new mind-crush. My top 5 has gained another member. Bastiat has joined the Who would you have to dinner club along with Locke, Paul, Madison, and either that guy I forgot about or I still have an open space. Oh yeah, Jesus, but that goes without saying. Seriously, this is a great read. This is one of those reads that should be required, but its painfully obvious as to why it isnt. It will be required for my kiddos once theyre around the 7th or 8th grade mark. I think anyone 12 and over could easily grasp and appreciate the concepts laid out in The Law. Not to mention that its a quick read for those that flirt with philosophy, but arent committed. Where did I NOT highlight? I usually try to summarize my reads according to how much I underlined or scribbled. Now that I look back, nearly every page has a remark. So, my major crush topics are 1) Bastiat takes on Rousseau and the Reign of Terror 2) Bastiat takes on Democracy 3) Bastiat is pro-human 4) Bastiat is anti-slavery 5) Bastiat is anti-Socialism. That might be a lot of antis, but his solution is pro-Liberty. Hey Misanthropic Philanthropist guy who thinks hes above mankind and uses men as if theyre raw material- put the Law down. Hey Mr. Fancy Pants Utopian dude who wants to make the world over in your own image- check your vices. I think I have figured out why pro-Liberty books are so short compared to Utopian books. Its a lot quicker to say, we should be free and this is why as opposed to I am an authoritarian bent on making people into new creations, but I have to come across as if I really care about them, hence the 500 page sleeping pill. Except for the Communist Manifesto, and thats chiefly because Marx said hey, quit lying and tell these people who we really are. I should have read this book years ago. It is certainly foundational work.

Excellent overview of what the role of law is in the society and how it has been morphed into a tool of power by people who think they know better how people ought to behave. Must read.

This was written in 1850, just after the 1848 revolution in France. Bastiat was concerned by all the different groups that were trying to use The Law or in Hayeks words, The State to remake society into their vision of a more perfect society. Bastiat argues that trying to use the law to help out one group does so at the expense of another group, he calls this legal plunder and points out how in the long run this will ruin society. Bastiat starts off saying that the basic gifts man has from God are: life, liberty, and property. It is appropriate and correct to defend yourself, your liberty, and your property. The Law was created to ensure that individuals in society were allowed to use these gifts. Bastiat says that unfortunately The Law is abused by the greed and false philanthropy of man. There are two basic ways of getting ahead in life, the first is to work hard and produce, the second is to plunder from others. When trade off and risks for plunder are better than labor, many people will turn to plunder. It is very tempting for those who make laws to use the law to plunder. Bastiat says legal plunder is to use the law to take property, which if was done without the benefit of the law would have been considered a crime. He has some fairly pointed barbs at socialists. He says many of the writers at his time seem to view people as raw material, to be formed or controlled. He says that most socialists see mankind as evil, while they (the socialists) are good. This leads the socialists to feeling justified in using The Law to make mankind be good. Bastiat asks why so many people in government feel that mankind makes too many mistakes, but that they in government are nobler and will make better choices. This is short, and because the original format was a pamphlet, Bastiat acknowledges that it is not complete. So many of his points and arguments are brief. This is a good call to action, to encourage people to be more informed about their government, and to work to limit the government. So much of what Bastiat said long ago is still true.

First, this is an excellent book and one I highly recommend. It is a short read and can easily be read in one sitting. While there is much here that is relevant to contemporary society, it is also necessary to put his observations into historical perspective. Bastiat grew up during the reign of Napoleon and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. He came of age during the reign of Louis Napoleon and all of the subsequent political upheavals. The society with which he was familiar was essentially agrarian rather than industrial, hence he focuses on the need for the individuals right to retain all he has earned. He fails -- and understandably so -- to recognize the rights of the capitalist to a return on his investment. He dances around universal sufferage but in fact seems to accept the need for limitations since he implies the prolitariat is too dumb to vote. He doesnt accept any role for government beyond his basic premise of the sole purpose of the law is to protect and defend from plunder. While his arguments regarding the law are essentially sound they do not probe deep enough into the role of government in a complex society. His view of government is that it is socialism pure and simple. If you step back and project his writings into our time they still have relevance but -- at least in my opinion -- they need to be adjusted to fit our reality. If taken literally, Bastiat comes across as an Anarchist who does not believe in any government or at least no government beyond what is needed for defense. However, his interpretation of the law and how it is corrupted to take from the haves to give to the lazy is well made. His focus on the individual and rights of the individual are better made by Ayn Rand (The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged). This is a very good book, but needs to read and placed into historical perspective.

One of the best essays ever on the proper role of government.