Frédéric Bastiat (1801-1850) was a French classical economist, statesman and author. He wrote most of his writings before and after the February Revolution of 1848. This was the period when France was rapidly moving toward complete socialism. As a member of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Bastiat studied and explained each socialist error as it appeared. And he explained how socialism must inevitably degenerate into communism. But most of his compatriots chose to ignore his logic. The struggle against socialism exhausted Bastiat's already waning energy, and by 1850, just six years after the publication of his first article and only two years since his election to the National Assembly, he was on his deathbed. But far from being a flash in the pan, Bastiat's influence goes far beyond his own sphere. Jodie Gilmore, editor of The New American, says Bastiat's seven volumes (all perfectly readable) and his ideas about freedom are as applicable today as they were two years ago. centuries. The current threat, not just of a national dictator, but of a global group of dictators, under the auspices of the United Nations, should give us pause. We would do well to listen to Bastiat and apply his principles to our own government, before we lose our freedom. “La Loi”, a book which presents the situation while France was seduced by the false promises of socialism, in 1848, Bastiat was worried about the law in the classical sense; he directs his reason towards the discovery of the principles of social organization most adapted to human beings. The same socialist-communist ideas and plans that were then adopted in France are now sweeping America. An idea could have been created a long time ago and can still be used today, but few of them...... middle of paper ......ga crime. “The Law” is a book that comes close to purity, power and almost poetic quality. Bastiat would be saddened by what America has become. He warned us. He identified the principles essential to a good human society and made them accessible to all. In the fight to end the legalized plunder of the state and to defend individual liberty, what more could one ask of one man? The collapse of communism, technological innovations, and the existence of robust free market organizations promoting Bastiat's ideas are the most optimistic things we can say about the future of freedom in the United States. Americans share an enormous burden and moral responsibility. Greater familiarity with Bastiat's clear ideas about liberty would be an important step in rekindling respect and love, and enabling the resurrection of the spirit of liberty among our fellow Americans..