Miranda Beal
Spears School of Business, Oklahoma State University
EEE 2083-30940
Dr. Steve Trost
February 2, 2023
Frédéric Bastiat was a French philosopher in the 19th century. He became known for his thoughts on governmental rule, and he believed that the biggest threat to liberty is government. His writings are very famous and are still relevant now. Bastiat did not sugar coat things in his writings. This essay will explain his thoughts on governmental and social issues that were very important to him.
Frédéric Bastiat writes that a foreign competitor is able to manufacture and provide light at a much lower cost than French producers can supply the same source of light. This competitor is a threat to the entire light industry in France. Prohibiting the foreign opposition will allow light manufacturers and many other industries to keep their employees and provide for their country.
In his argument he provides many examples of what would happen if France did not outsource their lights. For example, tallow comes from the fat of cattle and sheep, and it is used to make soap and candles. Raising cattle and sheep will be an effective use of pastures and meadows. This will also produce meat, wool, and leather which are extremely useful byproducts. The manure from raising these animals will nourish the soil as well. Providing good ground to grow fruits and vegetables on as well. The ships built to export whale fat for candles could help French Navy if they needed transported on short notice. Industries and workers will benefit from higher wages and increased prosperity. In his justification, the sun is the unfair competitor.it is impossible to block out all sun and it would be absurd to even think about doing that. Just as putting up barriers is negative to society. It does not help the citizens of France, it hurts them. It would be logical to use our efforts elsewhere. The fruits of their labor should be focused on things they cannot get from a different country. “…when products such as coal, iron, corn, or textile fabrics are sent to us from abroad, and we can acquire them with less labor than if we made them ourselves…” (Bastiat, 1848, p. 231).
In his essay titled “Government” Bastiat begs for a simple definition of what government is. He pokes fun of what our governments are portrayed as. “-a universal physician, an unlimited pocketbook, and an infallible counselor, such as you describe Government to be.” (Bastiat, 1848, p. 98). Bastiat believes that the people in power believe that the government is more powerful and helpful that it really is. He defines government as “The greatest fiction through which everyone strives to profit off of the hard work of others.” This is a major point that still reigns true. This is still a relevant concept in the United States. Most people would not outwardly say this, however. It is much easier and less stressful to profit from someone else’s hard work rather than your own.
Bastiat says that the government has two hands: one for receiving and one for giving. These two actions must work together. However, because the government cannot generate wealth, it cannot give more than it receives. Because the government must keep some of the funds, they receive in order to function, they do not give back the same amount that they originally had. This means that the citizens are now losing their wealth and property to a government that does not provide for them as promised.
Frédéric Bastiat wrote that the law should not harm individuals or their property, but instead, it should protect them. It should prevent another individual from taking certain actions that could damage or cause distress to you or your property. For example, the law for trespassing in Oklahoma prevents someone from coming on your land without your permission. If a trespasser is found and has caused damage to your property, it is within your legal rights to take them to court and have them held responsible for their actions. It is our natural born right to defend our life, liberty, and property. These rights do not exist because of laws made by men. Bastiat goes on to say that while the law should keep us safe, it should not force us to act in a particular way. “And if this be not true of every individual force, acting independently, how can it be true of the collective force, which is the only organized union of isolated forces?” (Bastiat, 1850, p. 50). In other words, if one person cannot force another to act in a certain way, a group of people should not be allowed too either.
Bastiat wrote that those in power use the law as a weapon of force, otherwise known as legalized plunder. An example of this would be taxation, taking wealth from individuals without compensation, their property has been violated. (Bastiat, 1850, p. 63). Taxation is theft, and so is eminent domain. Some individuals in power believe that by doing this, they will be able to help the less fortunate. Bastiat believes that most in power use the law as a weapon of force strictly because of greed. He believed that the philanthropic act of helping those in need could be achieved without taxation.
Bastiat was very opiniated and he was not afraid to call out the wrongdoings of the government. His ideas on trading to preserve the work ethic and lives of French citizens is enlightening. His statement about people wanting to profit off of other individuals labor is still very applicable in today’s society. I completely agree with his thoughts that taxation is theft. Frédéric Bastiat was a very intelligent man, and his thoughts and propositions should still be considered today.
Bastiat Frédéric. (2011). Government. In The bastiat collection (pp. 95–107). essay, Ludwig von Mises Institute
Bastiat Frédéric. (2011). Petition of the Manufacturers of Candles, Waxlights, Lamps, Candlelights, Street Lamps, Snuffers, Extinguishers, and the Producers of Oil, Tallow, Resin, Alcohol, and, Generally, of Everything Connected
with Lighting. In The bastiat collection (pp. 227–232). essay, Ludwig von Mises Institute.
Bastiat Frédéric. (2011). The Law. In The bastiat collection (pp. 49–94). essay, Ludwig von Mises Institute.
