My friend is a socialist. I want to give him a libertarian book this Christmas. It must explain the basics of economics (including the fiat monetary system) and show how libertarianism is better than socialism.
Economics In One Lesson.
That’s a tall order, not sure that a single book will do it. When you say he’s a “socialist” what do you mean precisely? Is he a european style social democrat? Is he an American uber-Liberal Democrat? Is he LibSoc? Communist? Etc.
European style social democrat.
Seconded.
Powerful, but short and concise enough that he’ll probably read it.
My 15-year-old little brother has taken an interest in Austrian economics, and has recently begun visiting Mises.org. His birthday is coming up and he asked for Economics In One Lesson.
You need something that challenges that socialism works in europe… I don’t know of any such books. Perhaps a new book needs to be written, though there are many about neo-imperialism which try to explain why the west is still so rich while everyone else is poor.
The Voluntary City is always good, although I’m not sure it touches on the econ /fiat money as much as you might like…
Please help us on this thread.
And here to.
We want to make some outlines to answer these questions specifically for people.
Economics for Real People by Gene Callahan. It’s great.
Requiem for Marx
Requiem for Marx (free pdf) is an excellent book, IMO, though I do not think it is a good book to convert a social democrat. Requiem is too specific to Marxism, pure socialism, and communism. Economics for Real People (free pdf) is a better book for converting practically anyone, though it is only for those who have a greater interest in economics. Economics in One Lesson (free html version) is a good introduction for anyone, but it lacks in depth (which is where Requiem and Econ for Real People shine).
Requiem for Marx with David Gordon’s “The Rise of Social Democracy” lecture.
Give him one of those books that aren’t really books. that they sell at nick-nack stores. You know, the ones that have a secret storage area in the middle. To put keys or pictures or weed or whatever in.
Send him one of those. Put a turd in it. Don’t put a nice sleave on it… put something European and particularly tiresome like Margaret Thatcher’s autobiography.
This is also good for children’s birthday parties.
-this post is not responsible if sending turds through the mail in your jurisdiction is not legal. Please check nearest turd czar for details. Some side effects may include cause for (the recipient) vomiting, mild discomfort, a sense of humour, or limited loss of appetite. If recipient experiences an erection lasting longer than four hours, please tell everyone you know and post about it on the mises.org.
The Road to Serfdom would be my pick. Hayek wrote it specifically for European socialists.
I second that. Callahan’s book is a better introduction to economics than Economics In One Lesson. It gives readers a formal path into Austrian economics.
I would recommend Inclined to Liberty. The chapters are very short.