Author: F. A. Hayek , Bruce Caldwell

Publisher: University Of Chicago Press

Pub. in: March, 2007

ISBN: 0226320553

Pages: 304

Measurements: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches

Origin of product: USA

Order code: BA01752

Other information: ISBN-13: 978-0226320557

The Road to Serfdom is Hayek's classic exposition of the superiority of individual liberty over central planning. As he does in other writings, Hayek advocates free enterprise, competition, private property, and limited government.

This book has been in print for about half a century, and yet its lessons and warnings are as relevant now as they were when first published.

In this famous book, Hayek breaks down the different ways in which state planning, as opposed to individual or more localized control, nearly always means the loss of liberty. Ultimately, in an economic system planned from the top down, should the system seek to continue, it will require dreadful, totalitarian measures. One of the saddest facts of these systems though is that in order to be put into place, they require many once-free people to willingly give up their freedoms: "the totalitarians in our midst" Hayek labels them. One passage along this line that holds just as true today as when Hayek wrote it:

"And, undoubtedly, not merely the ideas which in Germany and elsewhere prepared totalitarianism but also many of the principles of totalitarianism itself are what exercises an increasing fascination in many other countries. Although few people, if anybody, in England would probably be ready to swallow totalitarianism whole, there are few single features which have not yet been advised by somebody or other. Indeed, there is scarcely a leaf out of Hitler's book which somebody or other in England or America has not recommended us to take and use for our own purposes. This applies particularly to many people who are undoubtedly Hitler's mortal enemies because of one special feature in his system. We should never forget the anti-Semitism of Hitler has driven from his country, or turned into his enemies, many people who in every respect are confirmed totalitarians of the German type."

For anyone who has wondered recently why Pat Buchanan can often be seen receiving large applause at rallies with ultra-Leftist labor union leaders, or how other fringe Right groups often march these days against international free trade along side of socialist/environmentalist groups, F.A. Hayek explained it perfectly nearly 60 years ago. Whether seeking to force a large group of people to pay excessive amounts for goods and services, through trade protectionism supposedly planned to "protect" the jobs of a much smaller group, or through more directly stated taxation and redistribution of wealth programs, these groups are both taking a page from the Russian and German totalitarians of the 20th Century. Often "mortal enemies" of each other, they have found common cause at the modern-day economic forums, and should a free American people ultimately hand them control, as the Germans gave to these groups' National Socialist forebears, then similar results would ultimately not be far behind. (And if you think there weren't numerous leftists in strong roles in Hitler's National Socialist party, you need to read this book that much more.)

The Road to Serfdom lays out just what the title implies. F. A. Hayek was a brilliant thinker who was sadly dismissed by many of his day. Hopefully, more leaders of our era will read this book and realize that economic planning, be it through protective tariffs or progressive tax rates, while such an easy sell and so tempting at times, lead only to a loss of freedoms for everyone (as economic freedom is at the base of all the others), including the people they are supposedly intended to help.

Unfortunately Hayek's writing in parts of this book is rather stodgy and it is most surprising (though gratifying) that the book achieved such a high and continuing level of readership. For best results it should be read in tandem with Popper's The Open Society and its Enemies. This is easier to read and it has a very similar message with greater depth in some areas such as the philosophical roots of totalitarian thinking, the statement of critical rationalism and the correction of the muddle which Plato created by the false dichotomy of individualism and altruism

Target readers: General readers