This issue of The Freeman examines the twin dangers of bureaucracy and militarism, arguing that centralized political power—whether civilian or military—suppresses initiative, distorts economic signals, and undermines liberty. It explores how free markets transform inequality into mutual benefit, why the specialization of function enriches society, and how entrepreneurs meet consumer needs more effectively than planners. Additional essays contrast voluntary cooperation with the coercive nature of the state, investigate the moral foundations of property rights, and analyze the productivity gains of flexible “job shops.” A concluding review evaluates America, Inc., a critique of expanding corporate-government entanglement.
