Frederick Bastiat was a French classical liberal theorist, political economist, and member of the French assembly. Bastiat worked in his family's exporting business. This gave him first-hand knowledge of some of the effects of trade regulations on the market. His intellectual interests included philosophy, history, politics, religion, travel, poetry, political economy, and biography. His most famous work was The Law, originally published as a pamphlet in 1850. It defines a just system of laws and then demonstrates how such law facilitates a free society. What is Free Trade? is an adaptation...

The Law written by legendary author Frederick Bastiat is widely considered to be one of the top 100 greatest books of all time. This great classic will surely attract a whole new generation of readers. For many, The Law is required reading for various courses and curriculums. And for others who simply enjoy reading timeless pieces of classic literature, this gem by Frederick Bastiat is highly recommended. Published by Classic Books America and beautifully produced, The Law would make an ideal gift and it should be a part of everyone's personal library.

The law perverted And the police powers of the state perverted along with it The law, I say, not only turned from its proper purpose but made to follow an entirely contrary purpose The law become the weapon of every kind of greed Instead of checking crime, the law itself guilty of the evils it is supposed to punish If this is true, it is a serious fact, and moral duty requires me to call the attention of my fellow-citizens to it.