
ECONOMIC SOPHISMS - By Frederic Bastiat
Translated From the Fifth Edition of the French, by Patrick James Stirling, LLD., F.R.S.E. - Edinburgh: Oliver And Boyd, Tweeddale Court. - 1873
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
ECONOMIC SOPHISMS. FIRST SERIES.
INTRODUCTION.
I. ABUNDANCE, SCARCITY.
II. OBSTACLE, CAUSE.
III. EFFORT, RESULT.
IV. TO EQUALIZE THE CONDITIONS OF PRODUCTION.
V. OUR PRODUCTS ARE BURDENED WITH TAXES.
In this compact yet sharp treatise, the author takes on the myths that once underpinned the protectionist wave sweeping 19th‑century Europe. With a blend of crisp logic and playful wit, he dismantles arguments that trade barriers protect workers, showing how the hidden costs of such policies spread far beyond the obvious gains. The introduction sets the stage by inviting readers who doubt free commerce to see beyond half‑truths and to follow a chain of cause and effect that most legislators overlook.
The work reads like a spirited debate, each chapter exposing a common sophism and replacing it with a clear, reasoned alternative. By tracing the ripple effects of tariffs, subsidies, and other interventions, the author reveals how liberty in trade can unleash benefits that are invisible at first glance but decisive in the long run. Listeners will come away with a fresh, accessible framework for understanding why open markets matter, without needing a background in economics.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (483K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2013-11-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1801–1850
A sharp, witty defender of free trade and limited government, this French economist became famous for turning big political ideas into vivid stories and memorable arguments. His essays still stand out for the clarity and humor he brought to debates about law, liberty, and everyday economic life.
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