The Constitution of Liberty

The Definitive Edition

By: Ronald Hamowy - Edited by, F. A. Hayek

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

From the $700 billion bailout of the banking industry to president Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus package to the highly controversial passage of federal health-care reform, conservatives and concerned citizens alike have grown increasingly fearful of big government.

The Constitution of Liberty is considered Hayek's classic statement on the ideals of freedom and liberty, ideals that he believes have guided - and must continue to guide - the growth of Western civilization. Here, Hayek defends the principles of a free society, casting a skeptical eye on the growth of the welfare state and examining the challenges to freedom posed by an ever-expanding government - as well as its corrosive effect on the creation, preservation, and utilization of knowledge. In opposition to those who call for the state to play a greater role in society, Hayek puts forward a nuanced argument for prudence. Guided by this quality, he elegantly demonstrates that a free market system in a democratic polity - under the rule of law and with strong constitutional protections of individual rights - represents the best chance for the continuing existence of liberty.

©1960, 2011 the University of Chicago (P)2019 Tantor

Deeply thought provoking

The depth of study and breadth of coverage will require subsequent listening or an actual read!

very detailed and important

It's full of details and you might have to break up listening to it in chunks. An absolutely important work though and I'm glad I committed to finishing it.

Very informative.

This book has good explanations of topics that I only had a general understanding of.

Wow! is Tour de Force too strong?

Having read The Road to Serfdom and The Fatal Conceit (both must reads), I was ready for the "big one" and Hayek did not disappoint.

In this work are not only his arguments against socialism, which are better described elsewhere, but thorough granular explanations of the classical liberal view on nearly every contentious issue of the last 200 years in terms of the best way to organise a society and economy.

While I do not necessarily agree with every conclusion, I found myself, on about 50 occasions, thinking, "Wow, I have never thought about something in that way" and I don't consider myself to be poorly read. Truly mind expanding work regardless of one's own politics or views on the dismal science.

Great commentary on Liberty and Common Sense.

I have enjoyed Professor Hayak's approach to Common Sense.

and this collection of essays provides a wide ranging opportunity to look around today and realize how eloquent he was in his discussion of society and social changes.

Good Content, but Boring Writing

As usual, Hayek is an excellent thinker who has good and important ideas. But, my goodness, his writing style is painfully boring. I almost have up reading. And I'm the kind of guy that likes reading economics and political philosophy.

great book, good voice reading it.

great book, good voice reading the book. only thing I would change is more inflection in the voice. During long sessions it got monotone.

A classic

A bit dogmatic and in places self contradictory but overall a strong case for liberalism, as it was originally conceived and not as it has lately become.

The "Constitution of Liberty" Is essential reading for any serious political philosopher

F. A. Hayek provides an insightful and "well-thought-out analysis" of the conditions required to establish the principles of "liberty" in any society. This book should be required reading for any college student majoring in economics, public policy, political science, sociology or political philosophy.

The Intellect!

Amazing timeless look on our predicament as humans and our attempts at figuring out living together. Took me a year to get through it. There is so much here!