Frederic Bastiat

Frederic Bastiat
Frédéric Bastiat (1801–1850) was a French economist, writer, and politician known for his advocacy of classical liberalism and free-market economics. He is most famous for his book "The Law," in which he argues that the purpose of law is to protect individual rights, not to redistribute wealth. Bastiat is also known for his satirical essay "What Is Seen and What Is Not Seen," where he introduced the idea of opportunity cost. His works are widely regarded for their clarity and for making economic principles accessible to a broad audience.

Author's Books:


INTRODUCTION.   Years ago I could not rid my mind of the notion that Free Trade meant some cunning policy of British statesmen designed to subject the world to British interests. Coming across Bastiat's inimitable Sophismes Economiques I learnt to my surprise that there were Frenchmen also who advocated Free Trade, and deplored the mischiefs of the Protective Policy. This made me examine the... more...

PREFACE. A previous edition of this work has been published under the title of "Essays on Political Economy, by the late M. Frederic Bastiat." When it became necessary to issue a second edition, the Free-Trade League offered to buy the stereotype plates and the copyright, with a view to the publication of the book on a large scale and at a very low price. The primary object of the League is to... more...

Capital and Interest. My object in this treatise is to examine into the real nature of the Interest of Capital, for the purpose of proving that it is lawful, and explaining why it should be perpetual. This may appear singular, and yet, I confess, I am more afraid of being too plain than too obscure. I am afraid I may weary the reader by a series of mere truisms. But it is no easy matter to avoid this... more...