Selected Essays in Political Economy, by Frédéric Bastiat, is a collection of the writings of this 19th century free trade activist from France.#

What is Seen and What is not Seen#

A defense of free trade and the center piece of Bastiat's work. It explains how most fallacies become clear when on looks beyond the initial effects to the consequences--the things that are not seen.#

The Law#

A discussion on the purpose of the state and a defense of the ideal of limited government that establishes "islands of power in a sea of rights."#

Property and Law#

Why the two imply one another, how law is essential to the protection of property and private property essential to keeping a government contained.#

Justice and Fraternity#

A discussion on the difference between a government that ensures justice and one that ensures fraternity, unity, cooperation, or altruism.#

Specifically, he writes about whether a morality imposed by the State is truly moral:

Sacrifice imposed on some on behalf of others, by the operation of the tax laws, evidently loses the character of fraternity. Who, then, deserves credit for it? Is it the legislator? It costs him nothing but the effort of casting his ballot. Is it the tax collector? He obeys out of fear of being removed from office. Is it the taxpayer? He pays reluctantly. Who, then, deserves the credit that self-sacrifice implies? Where is its morality to be found? [p. 134]

And again:

This is the sum and substance of our quarrel with the socialists. Both they and we desire humanity. They seek it in the innumerable schemes that they want the law to impose on men; we find it in the nature of men and things. [p. 138]

The State#

More discussion of the nature of the State.#

Property and Plunder#

More discussion on the essential nature of property for justice.#

Protectionism and Communism#

Why the left is the early stage of the right.#

Academic Degrees and Socialism#

On separation of State and Education. Also on the immorality of the ancients, the Romans and Greeks.#

Declaration of War Against the Professors of Political Economy.#

Speech on the Suppression of Industrial Combinations#

To the Democrats: Reflections on the Amendment of M. Mortimer-Ternaux#

The Balance of Trade#

Many of Bastiat's arguments are very similar to Ayn Rand's and other libertarian influences, but one must remember that we wrote over a century before these authors. The battle for liberty has been long and often must review many steps.#