Political Economy, Concisely: Essays on Policy That Does Not Work and Markets That Do

Anthony de Jasay is arguably one of the most independent thinkers and influential libertarian political philosophers of our time. Through his writings he challenges the reigning paradigms of modern democratic government, providing an antidote to the well-intentioned yet, in Jasay's opinion, na?ve advocacy of expanded state power. As part of the series The Collected Papers of Anthony de Jasay, this volume introduces readers to Jasay's no-nonsense approach to contemporary economics and provides a foundation for the more intricately argued essays in other books in the series.

Political Economy, Concisely offers fifty-eight essays written for the general reader and scholar alike. Each is concise but, when grouped thematically, the essays form impressive, cohesive statements on classical liberalism. They clarify basic concepts of political and economic philosophy, such as property, equality and distributive justice, public goods, opportunity costs, and welfare.

The articles also include Jasay's trenchant comments on European political systems and economics. Russian and French tragicomedies are used as striking illustrations of people's characteristic willingness to believe in the myth of beneficial government despite economic logic and evidence to the contrary. Jasay exposes the perversities of politics in everyday life in the hope of inspiring individuals to curb the power of the state.

Rather than adopting the paternalistic stance of an elder who knows better, Jasay presents his criticisms with wit. This renders them more effective than any outright pedagogical effort could ever be. Such lively topics as "How to Get a Free Lunch: Just Apply for It," "Your Dog Owns Your House," and "Who Minds the Gap?" both entertain and instruct.