Walter Williams on Frederic Bastiat & American political culture

On December 2nd, 2020, the economist Walter E. Williams passed away at the age of 84.

Williams worked his way out of grinding poverty in the Philadelphia housing projects to chair George Mason University’s economics department. Over his career he authored 10 books and more than 150 other publications, and become one of the most recognized commentators on our American public life of the last four decades. Williams spread his message of racial equality, the dignity of work, and the morality of capitalism through his syndicated newspaper column, PBS documentaries, and frequent radio and TV appearances.

In this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. Williams from 2014 for the Acton Institute’s podcast, then called Radio Free Acton. 

Host Paul Edwards discusses with Williams the significance of Frederic Bastiat’s classic publication The Law, and the insights into modern America that come from reading that classic defense of limited government, authentic justice and human freedom. At that time, Williams had just penned a new introduction to The Law, which he said “created order in my thinking about liberty and just human conduct.”

Walter Williams, RIP - Rev. Ben Johnson

Ten quotes from economist Walter E. Williams - Sarah Stanley

On liberty's moral superiority (Walter Williams interview in Religion & Liberty)

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[RSoliai]

Though never forgotten, he ageless wisdom of this great American will forever be missed! Rest in peace Prof. Williams!

[patsirianni]

Dr Walter Williams has left this world a better place.I have learned so much from this wonderful Brilliant man Rest In Peace Sir

[xio]

Williams is a great thinker, that makes his work timeless.

[BobBrewer]

@min 33 - This is why the 1st "bill" our framers passed after the 9/3/1783 Treaty of Paris was to commission 10, 000 Bibles for use in schools.

[Zero-peiq]

Of course there are atheists who are big lovers of big government, but this seems to me a low blow. Of course most Americans are not remotely as liberty minded as Walter was. I think Frederic Bastiat's interest in god has more a reflection of the era in which he lived than a commentary on the folly of secularism. I advocate non-violence and peace among humanity. And I should hope that religious individuals like Christians for example do not judge my character solely on the basis of what I do not believe in. And yes of course there were atheist in Frederic Bastiat's time, but such people had a lot less freedom in many places to speak their mind for their works to survive for us to be reading them. Not to mention that in fact believe in some kind of god or gods was far more common in that century.

[victorjones]

Williams says, "Is it acceptable to be a recipient of stolen property? I'm sure God would condemn that." Williams protects theft by the elite and condemns the correction (taxation and social investment).
Was he aware that the theft of land, lives, and labor that formed the basis of the American economy was never corrected?
I find Williams to be a confusing personality.

[ericbennett-wuzx]

This type of work should be a requirement for k-12 and beyond. It is the only class that can turn America around. TikTok and the like have ruined what was America