
SOPHISMS - OF THE - PROTECTIONISTS. - BY THE LATE - M. FREDERIC BASTIAT, - Member of the Institute of France.
PREFACE.
PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION.
PART I. - SOPHISMS OF PROTECTION. - FIRST SERIES.
I. ABUNDANCE—SCARCITY.
II. OBSTACLE—CAUSE.
III. EFFORT—RESULT.
IV. EQUALIZING OF THE FACILITIES OF PRODUCTION.
V. OUR PRODUCTIONS ARE OVERLOADED WITH TAXES.
VI. BALANCE OF TRADE.
In this sharp‑witted essay collection, the author dismantles the arguments of protectionist policymakers by turning their own logic on its head. Through a series of concise “sophisms,” he exposes how tariffs and trade barriers often harm the very workers they claim to help, while inflating prices for everyday consumers. The style is lively and accessible, making a subject that can feel dry feel like a lively debate.
The work also delves into the broader implications of government‑imposed trade rules, linking them to questions of property rights, capital, and interest. By illustrating the unintended consequences of protectionist legislation, it invites listeners to reconsider long‑standing economic assumptions. Ideal for anyone curious about the roots of free‑trade arguments and the historical battles that shaped modern economic policy.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (524K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Graeme Mackreth, Curtis Weyant and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Dec 22, 2006
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1801–1850
A sharp-witted French economist and essayist, he became famous for turning big ideas about trade, law, and government into vivid, memorable arguments. His writing is still widely read for its clarity, humor, and knack for showing the hidden effects of public policy.
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