This issue of The Freeman examines how classical liberal principles illuminate the great themes of Western civilization—from the power of ideas to the conflict between freedom and political authority. It critiques inflationist mythology, explains how market competition protects consumers, and contrasts functional social cooperation with coercive collectivism. Additional essays explore the limits of centralized land-use planning, the intellectual foundations of productive achievement, and the role of individual effort in shaping character. The issue also illustrates moral responsibility through practical examples, warns against egalitarian resentment, and reviews works on law, Soviet agriculture, and enduring economic fallacies.
