It is such a great little book and like I said it is an easy read. My husband and I were struggling through Capitalism and Freedom mostly due to sentence structure. Hayek writes clear and gives concrete examples of his thoughts. He explains exactly why socialism doesn't work and how it leads to totalitarianism. Another thing I really appreciate is his empathy for the ideas he opposes and admits they arise from good intentions, not from "bad" people or a cerain nationality. He says for instance:
"...many who think themselves superior to the aberrations of naziism, and sincerely hate all its manifestations, work at the same time for ideals, whose realization would lead straight to the abhorred tyranny."
He wrote this book b/c he felt Britain was slipping down this road and they mention America doing the same. In his preface to the 1950s version he says the book applies to Americans.. the first publication was in the 1940s.
Another interesting point he makes was that liberalism's own success (meaning 19th century liberalism/classic, not modern/social liberalism which he also clarifies in the book's preface) had something to do with its failure:
"Because of the success already achieved, man became increasingly unwilling to tolerate the evils still with him which now appeared both unbearable and unneccessary"
.. he further expounds on that --a type of complacency.
"socialism can be put in to practice only by methods of which most socialists disapprove"
I may also read a book called "The Servile State" by Belloc.
The Road to Serfdom by Hayek
I would have to say that this is one of the few things that turned my thinking around about my views. I am re-reading it now and would like to hear what any of you that have read it think of it and encourage those that haven't read it to do so. Hayek was a pretty engaging writer who doesn't waste time getting to the point. I think Friedman is a very interesting speaker, but honestly I don't enjoy reading his works.
(for any of you that unfamiliar with these ideas--the usage of the term "liberal" in this film means libertarian or classic liberal in American terms or 19th cent. liberalism as opposed to modern or social liberalism.)
these aren't complete, but enough to give a point about the book.
(for any of you that unfamiliar with these ideas--the usage of the term "liberal" in this film means libertarian or classic liberal in American terms or 19th cent. liberalism as opposed to modern or social liberalism.)
these aren't complete, but enough to give a point about the book.
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raves +1 posted Oct 10, 2008 03:02AM GMT
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raves Oct 10, 2008 03:49PM GMT
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raves +1 Oct 11, 2008 05:56AM GMTYou've convinced me. It's in my Amazon shopping cart.
From what you've explained, it's ideas of the road to totalitarianism sounds similar to George Orwell's. I re-read '1984' every few years just to remind myself to be vigilant against allowing too much power to any political movement or philosophy. -
raves Oct 11, 2008 07:50PM GMT (edited)He was a liberal, but very opposed to socialist democracy. Have you seen that movie THX1138 with Duvall? It is a George Lucas film. I started watching it last night. There is also Harrison Bergeron which was a made for tv movie, but it isn't on dvd. And, we just watched on called Equilibrium with Christian Bale.. all similar themes. Problem is that liberals think it is scary too, but like Hayek shows, they don't realize where the road toward "equality" ulitimately leads.
I am glad you are getting the book. Last I saw, it was really holding its value! Drop back by when you have read it!
I ordered Persopolis and The Closing of the American Mind as well as Liberal Facism and Basic Economics by Sowell+ like 5 cookbooks all for 60 bucks!! I love Amazon and I got $15 gift certificate for taking online surveys.
I look forward to seeing peoples thoughts.