The Law

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

I can’t believe I had never heard of and wasn’t taught this in school! Bastiat (1801-1850) laid out and explained the most fundamental and vitally important concept, that the law is simply justice, just before his prediction came true, I.e. the French Revolution. The parallels with what is happening right now in America is truly eerie! It’s as if the goals and methods that Bastiat explained about his government are identical to our current government. Reading this was like watching the Wizard of Oz when the curtain was pulled back, revealing that poor man who thought he was doing what was best. I realized that the true power of America is in our individual liberty and that protecting our liberty is the only true purpose of the law.

Bastiats perspective is relevant today and provides an in depth understanding of Law. He describes the difference between plunder and legal plunder, the later of which is destroying the foundation of America as solidified by our founding fathers in Constitution. To understand how the foundation is being eroding by legal plunder (none-the-less plunder) one must fully understand the impact of it. Bastiats The Law provides that understanding. Ive also downloaded the audio version and send it to friends regularly. To change what is going on in America we must understand what is really happening as our politicians make every effort to present everything as if it were a nice present wrapped up perfectly for out benefit...it is deceitful.

A voice from the past eloquently presenting a rational inquiry, slightly dated, about what it means to have rational Law. A model of possible perfection that will unfortunately fail to impress the gullible and faint of heart. The only true Shield against the Iron Fist of mob rule and oppressive government. A must read for all who cherish Freedom. And be able to distinguish reality from fantasy.

I was introduced to this book by a friend of mine 15 or 20 years ago. At the time I was young and middle of the road politically. I thought some things the government endeavored to spend money at were good and others downright silly. After reading The Law my understanding of government in general crystallized to a large extent and has not changed much since. The author uses some examples from his time, but its not hard to follow his intent. This work stands the test of time and is still as relevant today as it was in the mid 1800s. I would also recommend his other works as well. They also are concise and to the point. I bought three copies of this book as I had lent my first copy out 10 years ago and it was never returned, which even though the original I had was sentimental to me, is OK since this book should be forwarded to as many people as possible. Legal Plunder is rampant in America today and will only be curbed by educating We the People about the cost of following these intolerable practices. Enjoy and then pass it on.

Its amazing that something written around 1850 would be so prophetic, with feelings of deja vu every other page. A must read for anyone interested in keeping the heavy hand of the state off our backs, and in preserving individual choice in our lives. The prose is, of course, mid-19th century, and the country he discusses is the France of that time, with the Socialists having come into view, but it is entirely relevant to America from about 1930 onwards, particularly now when the Socialists (still here in spite of their historic failures) are in charge.

There are others that can and will write much more intelligent reviews, but Im writing this in support of the book and the ideas in it. To only boost the reviews by a micro fragment. In the United States, we have pastors and religious leaders telling us that we are to obey the laws that the state decrees because it is Gods will. That if man left to his own devices and desires will only seek atheism and destruction. Nothing can be a worse lie. It is the worse lie because it subjects man under other mens desires, making the many individuals of a country lower than the minority - the real inequality. This is cruel. It is the worse lie because it deviates reality that God has appointed and allows a few to override truth to use the force of law to their benefit. This is cruel. Personally, incredibly, at the end of reading this short book, I was not angered at politicians, though they are at the center of this issue. I was angered at so-called church leaders giving lies about what has been established before mans arrival, that is good as declared by the Creator, and calling it evil. They teach this to the masses, who sit in hours upon hours through these contorted messages that believe there is something bigger, better than this docile and passive lifestyle. Sadly, most people will never know that what they know inside of themselves is true. Religious leaders will never allow it. I find myself not wanting to fight against the politics of the day, but the religion that supports the state. Law is justice; it is to protect life, liberty, property. Thats it. To violate any of those is injustice. There is no gray area, no middle ground. Justice or injustice. Religious leaders in their warped mind tell their audience that legal plunder is ordained by God. Legal plunder is an injustice. God did not setup man to be violated by others: Existence, faculties, assimilation - in other words, personality, property - this is man. They perverse the law. They tell people of another religion. That officials that are ordained by God - the enlightened ones - however that occurred so that they have higher elevated thinking nobody knows, are to subject them by force a philanthropic spirit, but really is only their selfish will. So, somehow Gods salvation is not enough that we must play revolution roulette because we allow a group of men to take part in Gods acts. As if, God did not do enough in His decrees that we ought to subject ourselves to another god. Pastors, reverends, priests - most espouse that man needs to have guidelines by the state. Yet, you cant have guidelines by the state and keep liberty; it will all end in destruction, ironically. Yes, what they preach is a violation of what is true, of Gods Law. As Bastiat states: And now, after having vainly inflicted upon the social body so many systems, let them end where they ought to have begun - reject all systems, and try liberty - liberty , which is an act of faith in god and in HIs work.

A great reminder of what is Law and how it works and how it can and is abused. Perfect for the times we are living. I recommend this to anyone who wonders why, the more laws are passed, the more we slip into lawlessness.

I have not read this work for 45 years. I have a greater appreciation now in light of the current political and administrative State we live in today as opposed to any other time of my life. I a ‘Just’ society it should be required reading and adherence for judges and society as a whole. I doubt the population as it exist today would even come close to grasping the importance of ‘The Law’. Thus Liberty does not exist.

good