The Law - Frederic Bastiat

I bought this book with the intention of studying liberalism and looking into its perspective in law and governance. This book is certainly a good way to understand the early philosophies of classical liberty and law during the 1800s. Bastiat, a french liberal theorist wrote this book well. The early parts of the book were more difficult to comprehend, but the latter parts of the book were very concise and clear. There were a lot of criticism on socialism in this book, and Bastiat provided many praises for liberal countries like America. Some reviews mention that Bastiat might not have the same opinion on America if he is still alive today as much of capitalistism, greed, corruption and military intervention are against some of Bastiat's arguments on liberty.

One thing I find most interesting about this book is that Bastiat argued that a lot of the problem with justice is not law, but it is the lawgivers; men, or a class of men. I was also surprised that he referenced God as the creator and that humans have to be grateful for the blessings that God provided. It is ashamed that he might have never studied islamic law that puts Allah as the highest authority, instead of men as lawgivers. I somehow believe that there is a part of Bastiat that wants to come to a conclusion that the lawgiver should be above mankind, and that would be the most just, and uncorrupted form of law.

Regardless of my disagreement with liberalism, I find the following quotes to be interesting:

"I cannot avoid coming to this conclusion - that there are too many great men in the world; there are too many legislators, organizers, institutors of society, conductors of the people, fathers of nations, etc., etc. Too many persons place themselves above mankind, to rule and patronize it; too many persons make a trade of looking after it. "

"I am acting with regard to it in the spirit that animated a celebrated traveler. He found himself in the midst of a savage tribe. A child had just been born, and a crowd of soothsayers, magicians, and quacks were around it, armed with rings, hooks, and bandages. One said - 'This child will never smell the perfume of a calumet, unless I stretch his nostrils.' Another said - 'He will be without the sense of hearing, unless I draw his ears down the shoulders.' A third said - 'He will never see the light of the sun, unless I give his eyes an oblique direction.' A fourth said - 'He will never be upright, unless I bend his legs.' A fifth said - 'He will not be able to think, unless I press his brain.' 'Stop!' said the traveler. 'Whatever God does, is well done; do not pretend to know more than He; and as He has given organs to frail creature, allow those organs to develop themselves, to strengthen themselves by exercise, use, experience, and liberty.' "

I can come to a conjecture that Bastiat was indeed a man of religion; but a religion that does not acknowledge total submission and guidance (in the form of laws and obligations); much different from what Islam is.

Overall, this book is an interesting perspective of early classical liberal theorists. Much of Bastiat's thinking on liberalism sounded a lot like what a liberal Muslim is; someone who believes in God but might not agree with religion as a form of governance. Bastiat failed to predict what America came to be today, as what liberal Muslims would also fail to foresee for our country.


PS: Decided to write short summaries of books that I've read as notes for my future references. More motivation to both read and write.