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The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism Paperback – August 19, 1989

by David D. Friedman (Author)

59 customer reviews

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The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism

The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism
(59)
Out of Print--Limited Availability.

This book argues the case for a society organized by private property, individual rights, and voluntary co-operation, with little or no government. David Friedman's standpoint, known as 'anarcho-capitalism', has attracted a growing following as a desirable social ideal since the first edition of The Machinery of Freedom appeared in 1971. This new edition is thoroughly revised and includes much new material, exploring fresh applications of the author's libertarian principles.

Among topics covered: how the U.S. would benefit from unrestricted immigration; why prohibition of drugs is inconsistent with a free society; why the welfare state mainly takes from the poor to help the not-so-poor; how police protection, law courts, and new laws could all be provided privately; what life was really like under the anarchist legal system of medieval Iceland; why non-intervention is the best foreign policy; why no simple moral rules can generate acceptable social policies -- and why these policies must be derived in part from the new discipline of economic analysis of law.

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Product details

Paperback: 267 pages
Publisher: Open Court; 2nd edition (August 19, 1989)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0812690699
ISBN-13: 978-0812690699
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
Average Customer Review: 59 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #990,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #635 in Books > Business & Money > Economics > Free Enterprise
- #669 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Ideologies & Doctrines > Radicalism
- #2397 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Civil Rights & Liberties

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Caution: this book may change your life!

September 3, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Back in the day, decades ago, the first edition of this book elicited the understanding that I was, and had always been, a libertarian. Back then, far more than today, it was clearer that democrats were generally in favour of social freedoms and economic restrictions, while republicans were (again, generally) in favour of economic freedoms and social restrictions. Yet, I wanted both social and economic freedom. Imagine that!

David's book gave me a name for the philosophical position that 'argued' for freedom and laid out for me how that might actually work in practice.

Of course, every libertarian should own this book! But, just as importantly, everyone who has felt the least -- constrained -- by the republican or democratic political position of the moment may find it useful to understand why. If you sometimes feel that you are voting for the lesser of two evils, you too may be a libertarian.

G.

24 people found this helpful25 people found this helpful

Good entry for Anarcho Capitalism

July 11, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Ive always thought that the way society is so disorganized due to government incompetence was is in need of viabke alternatives. Really, government as a whole is a primitive societak construct should longer have any use in the modern age. Of course people who benifet from State theft of resources will figt to protect such institution, but as long as materials such as this gets more insight from open minded intellectuals, I believe there will be more push for individualism and freedom in no time.

One person found this helpful2 people found this helpful

Tackles the hard question.

July 2, 2007

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This work spends a little time on the basic points of limited government and policies of libertarianism and anarchism. However, most of the work is spent trying to explain the hard questions of national defense and police protection in a stateless society.

David Friedman is successful in laying out the viewpoint of the anarcho-capitalist. The reader may or may not be convinced of the feasibility of his proposals(I wasn't and I bet most people likewise will find his proposals unlikely to succeed.) Nevertheless, the book is well worth the read for the clear and concise way it lays out this difficult political viewpoint.

The book is quick to the point and a quick read. The reader is not inundated with frivolous facts but is given the philosophy in a nutshell, take it or leave it fashion. The author recognizes the shortcomings and instead of dodging the questions meets them head on. For this, he should be commended. The book is a quick read and accessible to anyone and is well worth the read.

3 people found this helpful4 people found this helpful

An honest approach to anarchy

April 11, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

What I really appreciate is Friedman's willingness to say "it's imperfect", or simply admit that not all things have an easy answer in his proposed world. The importance of this is that he still makes great arguments and proposes possible solutions even when faced with a difficult scenario. The other important aspect of his approach is that he forgoes the moral approach for the sake of an economic one, and even goes so far as to justify morals economically as well. Whether you agree with his positions or not, you will at the very least have a firm understanding of them, and a rich reading experience to boot.

One person found this helpful

A good intro the David's brand of Libertarianism.

June 21, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The book is divided into very small chapters that help, along with the wit of David Friedman, to keep the attention of the reader, for short periods, or long. The book has been updated well, there are still examples from the original text of 42 years ago, but the examples are still clear.

The style is persuasive, the book is well put together. My sole complaint would be that the edge of the left sided of the book, is rather difficult to highlight as its too near to the center.

One person found this helpful

May 26, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Did I say brilliant? Clear, logical defense of the principles of libertarianism. I highlighted way too many quotes, you will too.

One person found this helpful

Seminal work on Anarcho-Capitalism

July 29, 2008

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Ignore the FUD being spread below!

This book is the best book to explain the benefits of Anarcho-Capitalism. Moreover, Friedman outlines a society distinct from Rothbard's version. Rothbard would have a common legal system agreed upon by all first, and then have private enterprise provide the rest. Friedman explains how even the justice system can and should be subject to competition!

He gives pragmatic arguments for the crucial part: getting from here to there. This is why you will see that Anarcho-Capitalism is the only logical conclusion of a belief in freedom and free markets. Every other (failed) Utopian political book never describes how to actually get to the utopia. They just assume it's possible to give everyone what they need and that "someone" will provide it for them. Friedman convincingly shows how his system is the ideal one.

Since it is quite old (some original parts are from the 70's), some of the points are blatantly obvious, and some are tragic in that they are still problems even now.

Don't listen to the people blasting this book for not fitting their preconceived notions of anarchy or political treatises. This is a economics book first and foremost, with political ramifications. At least read the Wikipedia on Anarcho-Capitalism before you blast it for having institutions. The whole point is that institutions will continue to provide services; it's just that those institutions will be privately owned and ran like a business, i.e. to make profits by pleasing customers.

David Friedman is a highly respected economist and legal scholar. His other books are required reading in Econ and Law classes, as well as at (good) law programs. This book shows you the only logical conclusion of many things you already believe. If you'd rather have a consequentialist justification, this system is the most beneficial from a utility standpoint, the most efficient, and many other superlatives...

Bottom line, read this book if you're at all interested in Capitalism, Liberty, Classical Liberalism, Economics, Law, etc. If you're not, read it anyway and it will make you care. One of my favorite books of all time.

7 people found this helpful8 people found this helpful

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