Justice, Law, and Prosperity
Posted by Orrin Woodward on October 8, 2013
Frederic Bastiat’s The Law is, in my opinion, the shortest, most concise, description of the damage done by government when in turns from its delegated role of ensuring justice into the enforcer of injustice. Bastiat wrote this gem just months before he passed away and is the culmination of decades of practical, theoretical, and classical experiences. In fact, without a firm understanding of principles discussed in The Law, no politician is capable of performing his delegated role. LIFE Leadership continues to separate truth from error in the quest for justice for all.
I have attached just one section of Bastiat’s work along with an example of injustice and government from American history. Notice how he pinpointed the two areas of injustice back in 1850 that would eventually lead to America’s Civil War. Injustice is always punished in the morally-ordered world God created. Indeed, Bastiat played the role of prophet because he understood the underlying principles and knew the God who had created the world.
Sincerely,
The Law
Frederic Bastiat: The Law – As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose — that it may violate property instead of protecting it — then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious. To know this, it is hardly necessary to examine what transpires in the French and English legislatures; merely to understand the issue is to know the answer. Is there any need to offer proof that this odious perversion of the law is a perpetual source of hatred and discord; that it tends to destroy society itself? If such proof is needed, look at the United States [in 1850]. There is no country in the world where the law is kept more within its proper domain: the protection of every person’s liberty and property. As a consequence of this, there appears to be no country in the world where the social order rests on a firmer foundation. But even in the United States, there are two issues — and only two — that have always endangered the public peace. What are these two issues? They are slavery and tariffs. These are the only two issues where, contrary to the general spirit of the republic of the United States, law has assumed the character of a plunderer. Slavery is a violation, by law, of liberty. The protective tariff is a violation, by law, of property. It is a most remarkable fact that this double legal crime — a sorrowful inheritance from the Old World — should be the only issue which can, and perhaps will, lead to the ruin of the Union. It is indeed impossible to imagine, at the very heart of a society, a more astounding fact than this: The law has come to be an instrument of injustice. And if this fact brings terrible consequences to the United States — where the proper purpose of the law has been perverted only in the instances of slavery and tariffs — what must be the consequences in Europe, where the perversion of the law is a principle; a system?
A state enforced monopoly, in other words, is the most effective because it uses the “monopoly of force” to ensure unjust outcomes, activating the Five Laws of Decline (FLD) in its destructive course. Indeed, anytime the state involves itself in the economy, liberty suffers through the the state’s hammer replacing society’s persuasion. For example, President Andrew Jackson, a leader and true student of human nature, dealt with injustice within government when he closed the Second National Bank. He intuitively comprehended the plunderous possibilities of an unchecked FLD and struggled to end the money monopoly’s use of government force as an aid in systematic exploitation. Courageously, his 1832 Bank Veto declared the danger when government unjustly provides monopolies to the few at the expense of the many:
It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law; but when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society–the farmers, mechanics, and laborers–who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their Government. There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing. In the act before me there seems to be a wide and unnecessary departure from these just principles.
Jackson, in his own words, describes the same phenomena as the author does in the preceding chapters, mainly, that government, when confined to internal and external defense, is a blessing to society. Nevertheless, when it transgresses these boundaries and is used by exploiters to reap where they haven’t sown, the Five Laws of Decline (FLD) are engaged and society declines.
23 Responses to “Justice, Law, and Prosperity”
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Louis Schwitzer said
I thank you once again for directing my attention toward more information that informs my opinions in a way that is based on historical fact rather than hysterical chanting about the falling of the sky. I love sharing your blog posts with my politi-biased friends. There is no partisanship in historical fact. There simply is what there is.
Lee Weishar said
‘The Law’ was one of the first books I read on the principles of economics & freedom. It is still one of my favorites due to how short it is, and how well it gets to the heart of the matter. That, and Economics in One lesson, I believe are very simple, yet profound books that everyone should read.
With all the books you’ve read, what would you say are the best books for beginners on the subject? As I talk to others about these subjects, I’m always trying to make sure I make the best suggestions on where to get started. 🙂
Lee
Orrin Woodward said
Lee, I would add to that great list Warren Brookes excellent book called Economy in Mind. It is the best book to describe the metaphysical aspects of wealth and how ideas have consequences and lead to prosperity when the right ideas. 🙂 Would you email me to the right of my blog so I can ask about Ludwig Von Mises institute? thanks, Orrin
Chad Waters said
Hi Orrin!
I guess what’s this questions in my head is why these issues have been ignored or better yet over powered for so many years. We as a society have issues that stare us in the face every day and the “average” person just chooses to ignore. I’ve always gone against the current and spoke out however looking foolish or un popular. I’m glad Life has been developed where now the few in society can take a stand together for what is right and teach those who are looking but just unaware!
Another great article! Keep serving and educating!
Much appreciated!
Chad.
God Bless
Scott Russell said
“But even in the United States, there are two issues — and only two — that have always endangered the public peace. What are these two issues? They are slavery and tariffs”. Now fast forward to 2013, our country needs a “Leadershift”! Its time we join together not to tell our Creator God how big our problems are but to tell our problems how big our Creator God is!! Thanks Orrin for another great article!
Scott R
Olivier Jean-Baptiste said
Orrin
I am thankful and equally grateful as you bring awareness and truth which in turn propels one to a self-directed education endeavor which by ripple effect will impact this generation and the next and make the present Forth Turning a freedom shift.
Just this weekend I was guiding and helping my daughter in writing an essay on the following topic: “Can society provide fairness for everyone?” Not long after we started brainstorming on the subject I found myself lecturing her on strange acronyms such as FLD, SDS, and VBC. We read underline passages from LeadreShift, The Law, FreedomShift e.tc. My unforgettable moment of reward as well of burden was when at the end several hours of learning and sharing she said to me: Dad , I wish I could be home schooled…!
I share this with you Orrin so that you know that the good seed that you sow shall bring an abundant harvest for this generation and the next. Thanks a million!!!
Now with your permission I wish to share one of the underlined passages from The Law that we read and reflected on together:
“When law and morality contradict each other, the citizen has the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense or losing his respect for the law”
thanks
Olivier
Rick Satterstrom said
I love that your story! Thanks for sharing it.
Heidi Szymanski said
Amen!
Jerry & Polly said
Thanks for the insights. It is amazing how man in his hubris attempts to circumvent the laws and principles that God, himself has established. Perhaps its just ignorance or the pursuit of power that leads us into this trap. We have a mission to accomplish. Educate all as to the laws that govern our world. God Bless
Shelly said
I home school my son, what are some good book on a 15-17 year old level that you would recommend? We have watched David Barton series on the Constitution and he really enjoyed the series.
Terry Hess said
A great book, which will lead to more great books, is Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens by Oliver DeMille and Shanon Brooks. This book is written to youth and adults wanting to accomplish a successful Scholar Phase–not only academically, but in personal development and mission preparation. It includes: How to find the Real You, The Teen-100 List(more great books!) How to study the classics, Sample Simulations List of Online Resources plus lots more!
David Fidler said
I love “The Law” by Bastiat. Great book which should be read beside “The Communist Manifesto.” Talk about night and day.
Jason Dames said
Loved it.. thx Orrin!!!
Rob Robson said
I see “Justice for All” as the next “The Law” written in modern parlance with even more specific solutions. Fired Up!
Elaine Mallios said
Very clear and concise Orrin. Thank you!
Steve Meixner said
Thanks Orrin, Another great article and more books for me to read 🙂
Steve
Renee Oettinger said
Thank you Orrin for bringing the principles of justice and role our government should play to us. It is awesome to be able to point others to the wisdom of another who lived so many years before and understood what the consequences of bribery and special deals would lead to. Principles stand over time and reveal the manipulating practices of those who believe they are above others (such as those who have excluded themselves and a few others from Obamacare because it is will not cover their own needs at the level they desire). I have learned many truths from the LIFE Freedom series and thank all who have done their due diligence in research and study to advocate for liberty for the masses.
Don Schultz, Team VIP Phalanx said
Thank you Orrin for being such a hungry student as you lead. As you say in “Mentoring”, we need to avail ourselves to a mentor who is a hungry, voracious reader. Thank you for the example you set for us all.
If we don’t understand the principles behind the actions we are more easily moved by the emotion and rhetoric of the media. What we seek to do with LIFE is influence our culture. That is a process that can and will happen as we grow in understanding ourselves and subsequntly and intentionally help those around us learn those same things.
Antonio Rosselli said
Maybe … If the concept of property could be re-defined … The current situation will change …
robert wilcox said
Orrin thank you for all you do. We consistently have to get ourselves out of the “familiar zone” as Chris calls it. I am working on it and while doing so starting to realize just how much you and the Policy Council read study and write. I am in the middle of reading 5 different books … one for Oliver DeMilles “Current events cycles and Historical trends” the system books and the “Great book” It is a little overwhelming but if we focus on what our Founding Fathers did and what our country needs today … it is a small task 🙂 I want to thank you for raising the bar digging in and sharing with us all of your knowledge and writing you are truly a gift from God for alot of us and you help us not just from your History teachings but in all aspects of Life!
Randy Robson said
Awesome!
Adam Gonzales said
Can’t wait for the new book!!
Adam Gonzales said
It is truly amazing to read about what is happening today in our society from someone who passed do long ago. Principles really are timeless!!