Dakota Beacon

I recently revisited a book from my library that I've read and referred to over the years. "The Road to Serfdom" was written by Friedrich A. Hayek between 1940 and 1943 and published by the University of Chicago Press in 1944. Hayek had earned three doctorates -- in law, in economics and in social science. He was also co-winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics, 1974, (with Gunnar Myrdal) and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991 by George H. W. Bush.
I once again found the 248-page book to be a straight forward and profound read. It is as relevant, eloquent and as accurate today as when I first read it. Hayek precisely points out that, by the time Hitler came to power, liberalism in Germany in the traditional sense (what we call conservatism today) was dead. Socialism had killed it. Socialist thinking across Europe with roots extending back through the mid-1800s gave rise to the spirit of fascism.
Highlights from "The Road to Serfdom" are worth citing either paraphrased or quoted. The gist of his thinking:
-- There is hardly a greater tragedy imaginable than that in our endeavor to shape our future in accordance with high ideals we should unwittingly produce the very opposite of what we have been striving for.
-- Totalitarianism is the word we have adopted to describe the unintended consequences but nevertheless unavoidable manifestations of what we call socialism.
-- We shall never prevent the abuse of power if we are not prepared to limit power in a way which occasionally may prevent its use for desirable purposes.
Hayek's own words do justice to the text. Discussing private property: "...[O]ur generation has forgotten...that the system of private property is the most important guarantee of freedom....It is only because the control of the means of production is divided among many people acting independently that we as individuals can decide what to do with ourselves. [If] all the means of production were vested in a single hand, whether it be nominally that of 'society' as a whole or that of a dictator, whoever exercises this control has complete power over us." (pp. 103-104)
In discussing central planning: "The question is whether we should create conditions under which the knowledge and initiative of individuals are given the best scope so that they can plan most successfully; or whether we should direct and organize all economic activities according to a 'blueprint,' that is, 'consciously direct the resources of society to conform to the planners' particular views of who should have what.'"
Citing de Tocqueville on democracy versus socialism: "...[D]emocracy stands in an irreconcilable conflict with socialism. 'Democracy extends the sphere of individual freedom,' he said. 'Democracy attaches all possible value to each man,' he said in 1848, 'while socialism makes each man a mere agent... Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality....[w]hile democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.'" (p. 25)
With regard to the changing concept of freedom: "...[Freedom] had meant freedom from coercion, from arbitrary power of other men....The new freedom promised, however, was to be freedom from necessity....[T]he promise of greater freedom has become one of the most effective weapons of socialist propaganda....[W]hat was promised to us as the Road to Freedom was in fact the High Road to Servitude." (pp. 25-27)
The fallacy of central planning: "We must centrally direct economic activity if we want to make the distribution of income conform to the ideas of social justice. 'Planning,' therefore, is wanted by all those who demand that 'production for use' be substituted for production for profit." (p. 33) "...[P]lanning leads to dictatorship because dictatorship is the most effective instrument of coercion and...essential if central planning on a large scale is to be possible." (p. 70)
Conclusion: "The important thing now is that we shall...free ourselves from some of the errors which have governed us in the recent past....to clear away the obstacles with which human folly has encumbered our path...--to create conditions favorable to progress rather than to 'plan progress.'" (p. 239)
Sound familiar? In our turbulent time this statement describes our crisis of confidence perfectly. Hayek wrote his book as a critique of the European scene during the 1920s and 1930s. Later he was reviled when his writing served as a critique of Franklin D. Roosevelt's socialist crusade.
Keep in mind that Hayek compiled the notes for his book from observations during the 1930s and 1940s heyday of German and Italian fascism. Hayek's book applies equally today as a warning against the liberal and progressive chaos descending upon us. Our nation is headed pell-mell down the fascist road that Hayek foresaw and spoke so eloquently against. Unchecked, it is a sure road to serfdom.

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at P. O. Box 337, Stanley, ND 58784 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)