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Liberty Versus the Tyranny of Socialism: Controversial Essays
In this selected collection of his syndicated newspaper columns, Walter Williams offers his sometimes controversial views on education, health, the environment, government, law and society, race, and a range of other topics. Although many of these essays focus on the growth of government and our loss of liberty, many others demonstrate how the tools of freemarket economics can be used to improve our lives in ways ordinary people can understand.
377 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
92 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
Walter E. Williams
30 books256 followersBorn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Walter E. Williams holds a B.A. in economics from California State University, Los Angeles, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in economics from UCLA. He also holds a Doctor of Humane Letters from Virginia Union University and Grove City College, Doctor of Laws from Washington and Jefferson College and Doctor Honoris Causa en Ciencias Sociales from Universidad Francisco Marroquin, in Guatemala, where he is also Professor Honorario.
Dr. Williams has served on the faculty of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, as John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics, since 1980; from 1995 to 2001, he served as department chairman. He has also served on the faculties of Los Angeles City College, California State University Los Angeles, and Temple University in Philadelphia, and Grove City College, Grove City, Pa.
Dr. Williams is the author of over 150 publications which have appeared in scholarly journals such as Economic Inquiry, American Economic Review, Georgia Law Review, Journal of Labor Economics, Social Science Quarterly, and Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy and popular publications such as Newsweek, Ideas on Liberty, National Review, Reader's Digest, Cato Journal, and Policy Review. He has authored six books: America: A Minority Viewpoint, The State Against Blacks, which was later made into the PBS documentary "Good Intentions," All It Takes Is Guts, South Africa's War Against Capitalism, which was later revised for South African publication, Do the Right Thing: The People's Economist Speaks, and More Liberty Means Less Government.
He has made scores of radio and television appearances which include "Nightline," "Firing Line," "Face the Nation," Milton Friedman's "Free To Choose," "Crossfire," "MacNeil/Lehrer," "Wall Street Week" and was a regular commentator for "Nightly Business Report." He is also occasional substitute host for the "Rush Limbaugh" show. In addition Dr. Williams writes a nationally syndicated weekly column that is carried by approximately 140 newspapers and several web sites.
Dr. Williams serves on several boards of directors: Grove City College, Reason Foundation and Hoover Institution. He serves on numerous advisory boards including: Cato Institute, Landmark Legal Foundation, Institute of Economic Affairs, and Heritage Foundation.
Dr. Williams has received numerous fellowships and awards including: Foundation for Economic Education Adam Smith Award, Hoover Institution National Fellow, Ford Foundation Fellow, Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation George Washington Medal of Honor, Veterans of Foreign Wars U.S. News Media Award, Adam Smith Award, California State University Distinguished Alumnus Award, George Mason University Faculty Member of the Year, and Alpha Kappa Psi Award.
Dr. Williams has participated in numerous debates, conferences and lectures in the United States and abroad. He has frequently given expert testimony before Congressional committees on public policy issues ranging from labor policy to taxation and spending. He is a member of the Mont Pelerin Society, and the American Economic Association.
Dr. Williams has served on the faculty of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, as John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics, since 1980; from 1995 to 2001, he served as department chairman. He has also served on the faculties of Los Angeles City College, California State University Los Angeles, and Temple University in Philadelphia, and Grove City College, Grove City, Pa.
Dr. Williams is the author of over 150 publications which have appeared in scholarly journals such as Economic Inquiry, American Economic Review, Georgia Law Review, Journal of Labor Economics, Social Science Quarterly, and Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy and popular publications such as Newsweek, Ideas on Liberty, National Review, Reader's Digest, Cato Journal, and Policy Review. He has authored six books: America: A Minority Viewpoint, The State Against Blacks, which was later made into the PBS documentary "Good Intentions," All It Takes Is Guts, South Africa's War Against Capitalism, which was later revised for South African publication, Do the Right Thing: The People's Economist Speaks, and More Liberty Means Less Government.
He has made scores of radio and television appearances which include "Nightline," "Firing Line," "Face the Nation," Milton Friedman's "Free To Choose," "Crossfire," "MacNeil/Lehrer," "Wall Street Week" and was a regular commentator for "Nightly Business Report." He is also occasional substitute host for the "Rush Limbaugh" show. In addition Dr. Williams writes a nationally syndicated weekly column that is carried by approximately 140 newspapers and several web sites.
Dr. Williams serves on several boards of directors: Grove City College, Reason Foundation and Hoover Institution. He serves on numerous advisory boards including: Cato Institute, Landmark Legal Foundation, Institute of Economic Affairs, and Heritage Foundation.
Dr. Williams has received numerous fellowships and awards including: Foundation for Economic Education Adam Smith Award, Hoover Institution National Fellow, Ford Foundation Fellow, Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation George Washington Medal of Honor, Veterans of Foreign Wars U.S. News Media Award, Adam Smith Award, California State University Distinguished Alumnus Award, George Mason University Faculty Member of the Year, and Alpha Kappa Psi Award.
Dr. Williams has participated in numerous debates, conferences and lectures in the United States and abroad. He has frequently given expert testimony before Congressional committees on public policy issues ranging from labor policy to taxation and spending. He is a member of the Mont Pelerin Society, and the American Economic Association.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 9, 2010
Walter Williams subtitles his book, "controversial essays". This is neccesary because we live in an age when simple fundamental truths of economics are simply not grasped or ignored to push an agenda. If this were not true, Williams could have more accurately subtitled the book, "Essays of Fundamental Economic Truths", because this is what it is.
While the essay format lent itself to some repetition of themes amongst several essays, it was not overly annoying as repetition is also the mother of learning.
I think a key point that Williams makes is that a good economist (and a discerning descision-maker) looks not only for economic effects which can be easily seen, but that which is not easily seen, obscured, or hidden. As another great economist, Thomas Sowell might say, looking beyond level one. It is in doing so that a person, an organization, a society, or a government can make wise economic decisions and recall the foolish ones.
For the utopian dreamers out there, this book is a strong dose of reality that is a must read before huge and even counter-productive mistakes are made.
If you think well of economists such as Thomas Sowell, Henry Hazlett, Frederick Hayek and the Frenchman Bastiat, you'll appreciate Williams. Happy reading.
While the essay format lent itself to some repetition of themes amongst several essays, it was not overly annoying as repetition is also the mother of learning.
I think a key point that Williams makes is that a good economist (and a discerning descision-maker) looks not only for economic effects which can be easily seen, but that which is not easily seen, obscured, or hidden. As another great economist, Thomas Sowell might say, looking beyond level one. It is in doing so that a person, an organization, a society, or a government can make wise economic decisions and recall the foolish ones.
For the utopian dreamers out there, this book is a strong dose of reality that is a must read before huge and even counter-productive mistakes are made.
If you think well of economists such as Thomas Sowell, Henry Hazlett, Frederick Hayek and the Frenchman Bastiat, you'll appreciate Williams. Happy reading.
August 2, 2021
Cogent and well written. It's rather surprising how many facts he puts out that I have not read elsewhere and this book is 13 years old.
March 10, 2022
Excellent read, great compilation of his essays.
Concepts are easily grasped so you can move to the front of the class.
Concepts are easily grasped so you can move to the front of the class.
October 18, 2018
Well, this was a great introduction to Williams. It is a bit older with essays from roughly 2000 - 2007 nearly all of them are still apt. The only time I disagree with him is over the freedom of smokers. As a self-proclaimed smoker Williams, in a few of his essays, gets frustrated on the regulation of his freedoms. The argument then falls to a utilitarian perspective of who should have the freedom the smoker or the person wanting clean air wherever they walk, who has the "right."
He will get you thinking about a lot of different concepts and you can pick and choose what topics you want to read and learn about.
He will get you thinking about a lot of different concepts and you can pick and choose what topics you want to read and learn about.
May 21, 2023
For liberals, something to read if you’re not afraid of reading views that don’t agree with yours.
I don’t agree with much the author says here and I think some of his examples to argue away race discrimination are ridiculous (ex. He defines discrimination as simply a choice letting deciding to give senior citizens reduced prices for some goods or services). Many of his essays contain the same arguments repeatedly. I also wonder what he would think today given what’s going on in the world, i.e., that most terrorism the US faces is domestic and perpetrated by white supremacists and white nationalists, that racial prejudice is getting worse and is being displayed virtually everyday in ways never thought of in previous years. Still, I think it is always good to read the views of those with whom one disagrees. So, for that perspective, I’m glad I read this book.
I don’t agree with much the author says here and I think some of his examples to argue away race discrimination are ridiculous (ex. He defines discrimination as simply a choice letting deciding to give senior citizens reduced prices for some goods or services). Many of his essays contain the same arguments repeatedly. I also wonder what he would think today given what’s going on in the world, i.e., that most terrorism the US faces is domestic and perpetrated by white supremacists and white nationalists, that racial prejudice is getting worse and is being displayed virtually everyday in ways never thought of in previous years. Still, I think it is always good to read the views of those with whom one disagrees. So, for that perspective, I’m glad I read this book.
March 27, 2020
Although some of the essays could be construed as dated in their focus on then-current events (early 2000s), my memory and understanding were solid enough to make sense of everything. In fact, these articles often presented a fresh perspective on events and problems I had dismissed as settled and monotone.
You WILL think about things in new and unfamiliar ways. Furthermore, even where you may disagree, you can often apply Williams's logic and reasoning to find your own path. Or you can just gloat at those areas where people like Milton Friedman went wrong!!!
You WILL think about things in new and unfamiliar ways. Furthermore, even where you may disagree, you can often apply Williams's logic and reasoning to find your own path. Or you can just gloat at those areas where people like Milton Friedman went wrong!!!
October 7, 2019
Dr. Williams is the best! Extremely brainy, very funny, and a real way with making economics both interesting and understandable for everyone.
August 25, 2024
Great read!
August 19, 2019
Good articles that more people should read.
Dr. Williams has long been one of my favorite columnists. This book makes a good case against socialism and challenges many of the points of view that the press and the liberal left promote. He challenges attitudes of victomhood and the belief that racism has gotten worse (it hasn’t ). Well worth reading.
Dr. Williams has long been one of my favorite columnists. This book makes a good case against socialism and challenges many of the points of view that the press and the liberal left promote. He challenges attitudes of victomhood and the belief that racism has gotten worse (it hasn’t ). Well worth reading.
March 16, 2020
Great book Professor Williams. I wish I'd had you for Econ. 1 and 2 . The reason why people can't read today is because of Site reading which creates functional illiterates. Almost everyone can read when taught good phonics. Site reading was introduced in the late 1940's . That's why my granddaughter. could barely read until I taught her phonics. Now she is reading the Harry.Potter books and she reads all the time.
Also on the subject of abortion, it's not just because of immoral life styles, it's illegal. The constitution says a life cannot be taken without due process of law. Also abortion clinics are often in poor and or minority neighborhood . Scientifically , The Supreme Court made an illegal decision. Please read Abuse of discretion by Kenneth Forsyth to see why I'd illegal . Your book is amazing , I'm going to see if you wrote anything more recently.
Also on the subject of abortion, it's not just because of immoral life styles, it's illegal. The constitution says a life cannot be taken without due process of law. Also abortion clinics are often in poor and or minority neighborhood . Scientifically , The Supreme Court made an illegal decision. Please read Abuse of discretion by Kenneth Forsyth to see why I'd illegal . Your book is amazing , I'm going to see if you wrote anything more recently.
January 21, 2017
Walter Williams is an old man. And he writes like the old man he is. He fears old age. He fears the disability that comes with old age. The wild kids at the park entrance, now become hoodlums. Life changes. From being to move the couch to an upstairs room, the back is hurting and he has a hard time getting off the said couch. The shadows are longer and this time are menacing. The sky is falling.
"Many of our nation’s colleges and universities have become cesspools of indoctrination, intolerance, academic dishonesty and the new racism."
1. They are not ours. As a matter of fact they are mostly private. And the state owned should be private anyway. They are not mine, not his, and this is simply a demagogic subterfuge to gain the support of the mob: OUR NATION!
2. cesspools is simply an insulting term that describes nothing. Is only to point out the disgust of an old bureaucrat that has a hard time seeing himself in power now at an old age. It becomes disgusting once you read the biographical blurb: a parasite specialized in grants and scholarships now spits at the hand that feed him so well simply because he feels he can't upgrade to a better pension plan.
3. indoctrination, intolerance, bla bla. Oh, the good old days! Does he mean compared with the American universities of the 3rd century? Oh, there were none. Maybe those of the 18th century? They were called colleges, but the problems of Harvard were more about rancid butter, than equality. Does he mean the days when women and minorities weren't allowed? Does he miss the segregation? No. Of course not. He means the days when he was young and full of potential. At that time he was too busy to examine the life around. Now, he has so much time and watching TV drama gives a certain feeling of doom. He means the days when he was hoping for twice the wage he has now and in half the years.
4. and of course: new racism. Which isn't racism. Is something else. It is something new. Something special. Something exceptional. And nothing. It is still better than 100 years ago.
And the proof:
"In a March 1991 speech, Yale President Benno Schmidt warned [bla bla]"
That is another old man playing the prophet.
"Other instances of academic dishonesty include professors having their students write letters to state representatives protesting budget cuts. Students enrolled in cell biology, math and art classes must sit through lectures listening to professorial rants about unrelated topics such as globalism, U.S. exploitation of the Middle East and President Bush."
Academic dishonesty?
Hopefully the National Guards will come back and teach these dishonest people how to teach. And help the poor students chained through mandatory University years who aren't bright enough to say that's it and move to a place where there are honest academics, like, say, Walter Williams, who bring light to the people of Guatemala.
"Many of our nation’s colleges and universities have become cesspools of indoctrination, intolerance, academic dishonesty and the new racism."
1. They are not ours. As a matter of fact they are mostly private. And the state owned should be private anyway. They are not mine, not his, and this is simply a demagogic subterfuge to gain the support of the mob: OUR NATION!
2. cesspools is simply an insulting term that describes nothing. Is only to point out the disgust of an old bureaucrat that has a hard time seeing himself in power now at an old age. It becomes disgusting once you read the biographical blurb: a parasite specialized in grants and scholarships now spits at the hand that feed him so well simply because he feels he can't upgrade to a better pension plan.
3. indoctrination, intolerance, bla bla. Oh, the good old days! Does he mean compared with the American universities of the 3rd century? Oh, there were none. Maybe those of the 18th century? They were called colleges, but the problems of Harvard were more about rancid butter, than equality. Does he mean the days when women and minorities weren't allowed? Does he miss the segregation? No. Of course not. He means the days when he was young and full of potential. At that time he was too busy to examine the life around. Now, he has so much time and watching TV drama gives a certain feeling of doom. He means the days when he was hoping for twice the wage he has now and in half the years.
4. and of course: new racism. Which isn't racism. Is something else. It is something new. Something special. Something exceptional. And nothing. It is still better than 100 years ago.
And the proof:
"In a March 1991 speech, Yale President Benno Schmidt warned [bla bla]"
That is another old man playing the prophet.
"Other instances of academic dishonesty include professors having their students write letters to state representatives protesting budget cuts. Students enrolled in cell biology, math and art classes must sit through lectures listening to professorial rants about unrelated topics such as globalism, U.S. exploitation of the Middle East and President Bush."
Academic dishonesty?
Hopefully the National Guards will come back and teach these dishonest people how to teach. And help the poor students chained through mandatory University years who aren't bright enough to say that's it and move to a place where there are honest academics, like, say, Walter Williams, who bring light to the people of Guatemala.
October 6, 2008
Is there truly a love of freedom in this country? Do we even know what freedom means anymore? These questions and many others are always the themes found in the essays of Dr. Walter Williams. Williams is a successful opinion writer whose essays are published nationally, he is read by millions understood by hundreds and his ideas are put to work by tens. This is the sad irony, for although Williams is a beacon on sanity and freedom, there is little mood on a people that have grown accustomed to the mostly soft tyranny of an overzealous federal government.
In Liberty versus the Tyranny of Socialism: Controversial Essays, author Walter Williams has collected some of his most recent essays confronting the loss of freedom and choice in our society. Usually done in the name of fairness or justice, the effects are the same. We are all losing the very freedoms envisioned by the founders. Using the police powers of the Constitution, the Federal government is compelling behavior that never would have been thought of by the early leaders of our Republic.
In fact, how many citizens even know that we are a Republic and not a democracy? The foundations of knowledge and civility that our nation stands has been eroded and the essays of Dr. Williams are a needed tonic in the arena of ideas. His clear and understandable positions will win over anyone with an open mind. Working with the Hoover Foundation at Stanford, Dr. Williams is on the front lines of ideological battle for the soul of our nation. Please read these essays and write back about just how they effect your outlook on our government.
In Liberty versus the Tyranny of Socialism: Controversial Essays, author Walter Williams has collected some of his most recent essays confronting the loss of freedom and choice in our society. Usually done in the name of fairness or justice, the effects are the same. We are all losing the very freedoms envisioned by the founders. Using the police powers of the Constitution, the Federal government is compelling behavior that never would have been thought of by the early leaders of our Republic.
In fact, how many citizens even know that we are a Republic and not a democracy? The foundations of knowledge and civility that our nation stands has been eroded and the essays of Dr. Williams are a needed tonic in the arena of ideas. His clear and understandable positions will win over anyone with an open mind. Working with the Hoover Foundation at Stanford, Dr. Williams is on the front lines of ideological battle for the soul of our nation. Please read these essays and write back about just how they effect your outlook on our government.
February 2, 2013
Another book of insightful, lucid, and hard-hitting essays by economist and conservative powerhouse Walter Williams. In this book, he challenges his readers to think through the ideas and motives behind the actions of those in government, in other words, to think beyond "stage one." A great companion to Sowell's Intellectuals and Society, because it points out the ways that the "progressive," intellectual mindset is damaging beyond belief in the real world. Extremely informative and well-written, Liberty Versus the Tyranny of Socialism chips away at the foundation of everything you think you know about government and the motives of those who run it.
July 17, 2016
A collection of Walter E. Williams' columns from the early 2000s, covering economics, and how government meddling inevitably makes things more expensive (and creates a scarcity), and how politicians' "best intentions" lead to disastrous consequences - without them ever having learned a thing.
One of the best takeaways is his explanation of "good economists" versus "bad economists" - the latter takes only visible effects into his analysis, while the former takes into account the effects that are seen, and ones that must be foreseen as well.
One of the best takeaways is his explanation of "good economists" versus "bad economists" - the latter takes only visible effects into his analysis, while the former takes into account the effects that are seen, and ones that must be foreseen as well.
July 1, 2009
I was really looking forward to this book because I've enjoyed listening to Walter E. Williams on the radio when he's guest hosting a show. But, alas, it was a bit of a disappointment. This book is simply a collection of Williams' newspaper columns. This means the "essays" are short and, unfortunately, packed with political rhetoric to surround the facts. This doesn't make this book stand out from anything else you might hear on the radio, see on TV, etc.
May 14, 2013
This book is a compilation of short articles for a weekly newspaper column written over a period of years. The author's left-wing ideals leaves the reader questioning many aspects of life, such as education, health, government, law, etc., and consistently refers back to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Very factual and informative.
August 22, 2011
Much of what Williams outlines here is already covered in other essay collections. That doesn't mean the collection isn't excellent. As always, Williams outlines his clear view of the world in each essay through his logical economist lense, and he does so in impressively concise fashion.
October 1, 2010
Great Essays regarding the dangers of Socialism and its' potential impact on the US should it ever appear on our shores..the author, a professor, at a prominent university, does a great job at laying out his arguments.
March 20, 2011
Doctor Williams knows of that which he speaks. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to really understand how the political ideologyies affect their daily lives...and wallets.
March 30, 2012
Walter Williams is an economics professor who writes a syndicated column on many subjects.
April 22, 2015
Another good collection of articles.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews