Hayek’s 'The Road to Serfdom' - Lawrence H. White

Lawrence H. White is Professor of Economics at George Mason University.

Ludwig von Mises (1881–1973) and Friedrich A. Hayek (1899–1992) were leading founders of the Austrian School of economics, and are counted among the twentieth century’s foremost champions of free markets and critics of socialism. This second CCA of the 2016-2017 academic year will consider the history and principles of the Austrian School, as well as Mises’ and Hayek’s major works and continuing influence.

[talex]

This is why the constitution MUST be followed, if the government cannot protect the individual, the government serves nothing but itself.

[HeavyMetalPedal]

I have read "The Road to Seldom" and several chapters several times. It should be read by EVERY person at EVERY level of government. Excellent presentation in this video!

[jimbuford]

I was raised on a cotton farm in the South and heard my dad talk about how the government would plow up fields of cotton in the '30's because there was too much of it and I as a teenager remember into the 1950's we were told by the government how much cotton we could produce. That was our cash crop and it caused us to lose our farm. Other commodities suffered the same way.

[carefulconsumer]

Anyone old enough who has lived behind the Iron Curtain understands this clearly! Thank you.

[noth]

Thank you for this Hillsdale and Dr. White both, and Hayek of course for the book itself.

[avatarcowboy]

It is four years since this video was released, but I too wish to add my voice of thanks to Professor White for sharing Hayek's wisdom with today's audience. Many years ago a close friend gave me his father's copy of the Road To Serfdom. This particular copy was published by UCP in October, 1944, 3rd Impression. My friend's father was an economist and his notes written in pencil can be found through the book. It is a little book - in size. In importance however it is truly a great work. In a better world this book would be required reading and study in every university. Even at the high school level Hayak's core message of the folly of central planning and the 'fatal conceit' should be taught.

[snippletrap]

Central planning isn’t just for governments. It’s also for private corporations to win no-bid contracts, receive bailouts, and eliminate competition.

[coffeeonkeyboard]

My dad gave me Road To Serfdom to read back in '74 - 8th grade at the time.

[mnfowler]

Unless I have missed it somewhere, I have never heard anyone connect Hayek's "Road to Serfdom" (1943 in UK; 1945 in US) directly to George Orwell's "1984." White does not mention this connection, either. Orwell reviewed RTS positively and later incorporated many features of Hayek's essay in "1984." I first realized this while reading RTS chapter 10, "why the worst get to the top" in a centrally planned system. It's all about Orwell's character O'Brien and his ilk. (Like most, I read "1984" long before I read RTS.) It is almost as if "1984" is a direct response to RTS.

[thefredkalis]

thank you Hillsdale college it's a very good talk

[louthurston]

Another of the legion of economists following Hayak, Friedman, Sowell and Williams, yet we continue down the road to serfdom. Insane.

[vkorchnoifan]

This is absolutely the best video on "The Road to Serfdom"

[Srulio]

Heyek's messages about policy, economics and values are needed NOW (in 2019) more than ever before.

[tomschmidt]

Powerful explanation of a book my mom "told"me to read back... when i was a teenager.
I pulled clearer information from the speaker's tutorial here.
Very valuable, though i wish i had seen this 5yrs ago.
Still, thank you!!!

[Gamerad]

Great video, you manage to give an honest account of Hayek's teachings.

[gillianmason]

Lawrence C.White, I am listening to your lecture and it is sending shivers down my spine as l am English and right now as the world knows we in
The United Kingdom are tearing ourselves apart over leaving the European Union.I have just stopped your lecture at the point where you are saying, " I want to be a Carpenter and being told you should be a Plumber " he has the choice in a free society.

I am so saddened that it seems impossible to hear a lecture on our British Broadcasting Center speaking about the issues you are speaking about. The young people are not being informed about the dangers of an ever increasing danger of a what will become the Federal European State.

They believe they will lose their freedom if we leave, without any knowledge of what they are really losing is there freedom if we stay.

I hope I am expressing that being friendly with our European neighboring countries does not mean I wish to be governed by them.

[peetsnort]

Cotton to diamonds.
De beers know that they can stockpile diamonds and keep the price high. That's why I don't invest in diamonds. There is no shortage of diamonds in the world

[mktwatcher]

Very relevant to what's trying to be implemented inside our Government and Country today.

You need to update and give this talk again, again, again and again.

We're headed for a cliff.

[davidhalliday]

I think I’ve watched this 10 times now. I regard this as an extremely important lecture.

[yydd]

The road to serfdom is legendary piece of literature