Classical Liberals And The Law

25 June 2003

The more frustrated I become with the career politicians who make up our two-party system of government, the more convinced I am that an alternative is the only way this nation can be turned.

I’m spending some time studying Classical Liberalism. Don’t let terms confuse you. The groups we refer to today using the names ”conservative” and ”liberal” have nothing in common with Classical Liberals. For those interested only in the Cliff’s Notes version of things, you might look at this outline. Don’t ask me to answer to the differences between a libertarian and a classical liberal. I’m still twisted up in all of the labels, philosophies and essays of each.

With certainty I can say that more-of-the-same politics will not take this nation in the direction it must go. I had hope at the time of the Republican sweep of 1994. Nada. I had hope again when Bush was elected. Thankfully, we had this man and his appointees in positions previously occupied by the likes of Cohen, Albright and Gore. Yet, on other fronts, we are not making the inroads we need.

One of the most inspiring courses of study in the area of Classical Liberalism is The Law by Frederic Bastiat. Be forewarned, he’s a French economist who lived in the first half of the 1800’s. If you are ”francophobic,” I’m sorry. His work is still masterful in describing the role of law, the rule of law and the underpinnings of a truly free society.

Reading The Law, you’ll see where we have managed to bend, fold, spindle and mutilate the ”law” that so many attorneys bow to it like a shrine. I know attorneys with more feeling for, loyalty to and dedication to ”the law” than they have to their Christian faith! That’s simply absurd.

Here is another translation of The Law, with an Introduction by Walter Williams. Milton Friedman is a well-known classical liberal.

Historical figures who were Classical Liberals include:

Modern Classical Liberals would be:

Filed under:

 ||