I agree. About five years ago I did a commencement address for one university called the Two Freds - where I discussed Bastiat and Hayek. Bastiat made the great story about opportunity cost with his analogy on broken windows. He had a wonderful sense of humor that conveyed a lot about important principles of economics. It is a shame that his work is not read more often.
Christopher Meisenzahl
· 3 years ago
Great post Dr. Boudreaux. I'm also a big fan of Bastiat. So much wisdom from so long ago, and so many ignore it. ;-(
Tiberius
· 3 years ago
I agree with drtaxsacto. It would be nice to read more Bastiat and probably should be included in college courses. Its very important to include the Hayek's, Buchanan's and Friedman's, but to go to a less sought after source could really make a student feel unique in his studies.
liberty
· 3 years ago
Excellent passage. Another thing that Marx had muddled!
It was a copy of "The Law" that inspired me to study economics and brought me to my love of free markets. It amazes me that there is no print collection of Bastiat's works. His pointed common sense can't be argued against.
Don Boudreaux
· 3 years ago
Liberty Fund is preparing now the collected works of Frederic Bastiat, due out probably in 2007 or 2008.
The Foundation for Economic Education also has most of Bastiat's works available in English-language translations.
All Comments
I agree. About five years ago I did a commencement address for one university called the Two Freds - where I discussed Bastiat and Hayek. Bastiat made the great story about opportunity cost with his analogy on broken windows. He had a wonderful sense of humor that conveyed a lot about important principles of economics. It is a shame that his work is not read more often.
Great post Dr. Boudreaux. I'm also a big fan of Bastiat. So much wisdom from so long ago, and so many ignore it. ;-(
I agree with drtaxsacto. It would be nice to read more Bastiat and probably should be included in college courses. Its very important to include the Hayek's, Buchanan's and Friedman's, but to go to a less sought after source could really make a student feel unique in his studies.
Excellent passage. Another thing that Marx had muddled!
My favorite is the Candlemaker's Petition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlemakers%27_pe...>
It was a copy of "The Law" that inspired me to study economics and brought me to my love of free markets. It amazes me that there is no print collection of Bastiat's works. His pointed common sense can't be argued against.
Liberty Fund is preparing now the collected works of Frederic Bastiat, due out probably in 2007 or 2008.
The Foundation for Economic Education also has most of Bastiat's works available in English-language translations.