The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism

This a five star book. It talks about the machinery of freedom which means the mechanism that underlays a society without government, and how and why it should work.The book is a revision of every single topic that engenders both doubts and awake scepticism in those who don't trust in anarcho-capitalism (AC). In other words, in those who don't even think in the possibility of awakening in the morning without the government in the control panel.Friedman demonstrates in theory that AC should work in practice. Every topic, like health, education, and armed forces, is reviewed with deep lucidity. A very good discussion follows them, fighting in open space the objections of those who think that AC -even being superior to representative democracy- is an impossible dream. Friedman, in my opinion, dissolves those objections not only with logic but also with a deep (and not a cinic) sense of reality.Friedman doesn't have a better opinion of human beings than you and me. They're not better in an AC world than they are in this. So the question that he is answering all the time along the book is just that: why AC should work any way, i.e., in any conceivable way.I bought this book thinking on another book on libertarianism (which I love, by the way) but I was wrong. It's -as I said- about the mechanism that should make it work better than our actual model.It convinced me. Maybe it could convince you.

The book is divided into very small chapters that help, along with the wit of David Friedman, to keep the attention of the reader, for short periods, or long. The book has been updated well, there are still examples from the original text of 42 years ago, but the examples are still clear.The style is persuasive, the book is well put together. My sole complaint would be that the edge of the left sided of the book, is rather difficult to highlight as its too near to the center.

Ive always thought that the way society is so disorganized due to government incompetence was is in need of viabke alternatives. Really, government as a whole is a primitive societak construct should longer have any use in the modern age. Of course people who benifet from State theft of resources will figt to protect such institution, but as long as materials such as this gets more insight from open minded intellectuals, I believe there will be more push for individualism and freedom in no time.

David D. Friedman is a great economist. He grounds his argument in the price system better than most (or all). In Pure Political Philosophy: Natural Law and Sulaocracy, I have grounded my argument in property, yet prices and property lead to the same thing. This is one of the books I have recommended in mine.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1098020227/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What I really appreciate is Friedman's willingness to say "it's imperfect", or simply admit that not all things have an easy answer in his proposed world. The importance of this is that he still makes great arguments and proposes possible solutions even when faced with a difficult scenario. The other important aspect of his approach is that he forgoes the moral approach for the sake of an economic one, and even goes so far as to justify morals economically as well. Whether you agree with his positions or not, you will at the very least have a firm understanding of them, and a rich reading experience to boot.

This is an excellent read, written in a way that lets the reader jump around if they like and uncovers a wealth of new ideas while exploring a ton of old ones in new ways. The author and his father are a gift to mankind.

An excellent introduction to understanding Libertarian theory and practice. I admit, it's not a casual read, but it will make you think. I had the Audible option, but didn't try it. It is likely too much to absorb as an audio presentation.

Back in the day, decades ago, the first edition of this book elicited the understanding that I was, and had always been, a libertarian. Back then, far more than today, it was clearer that democrats were generally in favour of social freedoms and economic restrictions, while republicans were (again, generally) in favour of economic freedoms and social restrictions. Yet, I wanted both social and economic freedom. Imagine that!David's book gave me a name for the philosophical position that 'argued' for freedom and laid out for me how that might actually work in practice.Of course, every libertarian should own this book! But, just as importantly, everyone who has felt the least -- constrained -- by the republican or democratic political position of the moment may find it useful to understand why. If you sometimes feel that you are voting for the lesser of two evils, you too may be a libertarian.G.

This book is great for introduction to libertarian (or anarcho-capitalism) ideas to someone not familiar with them but also for "already convinced" libertarians or anyone who only roughly knows what it means, but otherwise cannot imagine living in society without a government.Friedman does not write from ideological (moral) perspective, his approach is highly practical. Being economist he rather focuses on efficiency of how mechanics of society work now and how they would work in market driven world without legitimized coercion.He offers comparison of current and stateless society for topics like inequality, monopolies, schooling, immigration, healthcare and regulations. He tackles harder (probably the most interesting) aspects which most of the people cannot imagine could be private only - like police, courts and law. But also hardest problems like national defense or externalities (like pollution) are analysed. It shows not only desired target for libertarians but how to get there in small steps.Arguments are well thought, based on facts, numbers, often with examples from history. Author is not closing his eyes to real problems like paradoxes appearing when libertarian dogmas are followed literally. Interesting is topic about market failure and his explanation why this real inefficiency is bigger in society with government.Book was originally written 40 years ago and this is its third edition (interesting to see how some his older thoughts became reality during that time).Negative: Structure of the book is not very systematic, sometimes it feels like bundle of loosely related articles (this applies mainly to appendices).

An excellent guide for anyone wishing to understand the alternative to the follies of the Keynesian way and a great guide to Libertarianism.

A stunning account of why governments are restricting our freedom and a wonderful description of how things might work if they just let us get on with it.

I started reading this book as a progressive liberal or a social democrat as one may describe. While I am not convinced by the utopia the author describes, I have been convinced that a number of my solutions to modern problems were wrong. I don't think government should subsidize healthcare, I think they should leave it entirely. I don't think government should subsidize education, they should leave it entirely. I believe in the same ends (healthcare for all, education for all) but in radically different solutions. If one thing I learnt from this book is that the government will almost always do more harm than good. This paradigm shift has been something I'm eager to spread all across the left. While I do believe most progressives may not agree with his assertions of liberty, I think the solutions we are choosing (more government, more money to government) is dangerously misguided and if anything this book says that more money to people to spend on free market is far better than more money to govt. Due to such drastic change in my views through a single book, I cannot recommend this book enough and in the eternal words of David Friedman "The only monopoly that survives is the state-run monopoly"

Friedman has produced an amazing compilation of ideas in support of a non-coercive human society in rejection of that old gang of robbers, the state. Some of his ideas are so creative, and so humble in seeking to face up honestly to the many issues and problems involved, that he will be accused of absurdity. Far from it though, he is intellectually humble, and yet at the same time explosively high IQ. This book is one of the best books on how anarchism could actually function, in terms of respect for fundamental property rights that are inextricable from what we all intuitively understand as our ownership of ourselves. However, Friedman communicates this in a popular and persuasive, rather than hectoring or moralizing manner. Brilliant.