The Law

By: Frederic Bastiat

Narrated by: Erik Synnestvedt

The Law was originally published as a pamphlet in French in 1850 by Frederic Bastiat. It is his most famous work and was written two years after the third French Revolution of 1848. It defines, through development, a just system of laws and then demonstrates how such law facilitates a free society. Bastiat was a French classical liberal theorist, political economist, and member of the French assembly. He was notable for developing the important economic concept of opportunity cost. He was the author of many works on economics and political economy, generally characterized by their clear organization, forceful argumentation, and acerbic wit.

Born in Bayonne, Aquitaine, France, Bastiat was orphaned at nine and became a ward of his paternal grandparents. At 17, he left school to work in his family's export business. Economist Thomas DiLorenzo suggests that this experience was crucial to Bastiat's later work since it allowed young Frédéric to acquire first-hand knowledge of how regulation can affect markets. When Bastiat was 25, his grandfather died, leaving the young man the family estate, thereby providing him with the means to further his theoretical inquiries. After the middle-class Revolution of 1830, Bastiat became politically active and was elected justice of the peace in 1831 and to the Council General in 1832. He was elected to the national legislative assembly after the French Revolution of 1848. His public career as an economist began in 1844 and was cut short by his untimely death in 1850.

Public Domain (P)2012 Gildan Media, LLC

Eye Opener

Bastiat's "The Law" is the eye opener, the gateway to liberty. I don't think he probably even goes far enough. Where he stops short though, his successor, Gustave de Molinari ended up going the distance. "The Law" will press you though to think about morality and the thoughtless acceptance that we have given to the State.

good if you are a libertarian

liked it but it gets long. I would suggest reading it though. all and all good book.

Essential Reading for Everyone

Any additional comments?

What are the purposes of the law and what are its limits? These are the questions Bastiat raises, and his answers written in 1850 are as relevant as if they'd been written in 2012. I won't attempt to summarize his theories, except to say whether you're Republican or Democrat, your problem is less what laws you want to enact than whether they'll work if you manage to get your way.

The audio version is only slightly marred by the fact that the reader seems to have a speech impediment. Bastiat frequently uses the word "plunder" to describe misuse of the law, and in the audio version it sounds like "plunderer." Same with other words that end in "r." I even bought the print version just to see what he was saying.

one of the most important works on this millennium

must read by everyone sane sentient and cognitive! while the concepts are weighty they are the cornerstone of society. Bastiat is the perfect answer to Marx and the modern progressives.

Excellent book!

This is a MUST READ! It should be read by everyone alive. It amazes me that this was written in 1850. The perversions if the law are taking place all around us right NOW. How long before the uprising begins?