Fugitive Essays: Selected Writings

by Frank Chodorov, Charles H. Hamilton

Frank Chodorov profoundly influenced the intellectual development of the post—World War II libertarian/conservative movement. These essays have been assembled for the first time from Chodorov's writings in magazines, newspapers, books, and pamphlets. They sparkle with his individualistic perspective on politics, human rights, socialism, capitalism, education, and foreign affairs.

Genres: Essays, Politics

430 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1980

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A WIDE VARIETY OF WRITINGS FROM A PROMINENT "OLD RIGHT" MEMBER

Frank Chodorov (1887-1966) was an American member of the "Old Right," a group of libertarian thinkers who were non-interventionist in foreign policy and opposed both the American entry into World War II and the New Deal. In 1937, he became director of the Henry George School of Social Science in New York, until he was terminated in 1942 for his anti-war views.

The essays in this 1980 collection are assembled from his writings in magazines, newpapers, books and pamphlets, and are categorized such as Natural Rights and Unnatural Wrongs; Why We Have Socialism; Communism and America; Taxation is Robbery; The International Scene; When War Comes; It's Fun to Fight, etc.

He argues that "in the long run every state collapses, frequently disappears altogether and becomes an archaeological curio." Society collapsed and drew the state down with it. "There is no way for politics to protect itself from politics." (Pg. 79)

He asserts that "The strike, regardless of all rationalization, is an organized attack on life and property. It is a miniature war." (Pg. 184) Furthermore, "every election is a seizure of power." (Pg. 203) The welfare state "is headed for the mothballs... At this writing, the welfare state can be written off." (Pg. 365) The state he identifies as "a number of persons who are up to no good." (Pg. 389)

He admits that "I am not for saving the country. I am not for saving anybody---but myself. That's as much as I feel able to try, and it's the only job of salvation that a fellow can undertake and expect positive results." (Pg. 193)

Not nearly as witty as Mencken, Chodorov's musings are still interesting reading---particularly for anti-statists.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my most treasured books among 1,200 or so. Chodorov was a member of the "Old Right"---the dying breed of paleo-conservatives/libertarians, who opposed the neo-con, totalitarian take-over spear-headed by William F. Buckley, et al. This book illustrates beautifully, with penetrating insight, tight reasoning and artful prose, the failures and deficiencies of central-planning, authoritarianism, big government, collectivism, foreign interventionism, and more...in contrast to the morality and efficiency of Classical Liberalism, Individualism and decentralization. I can never decide which is my favorite Chodorov book, this or "The Rise and Fall of Society." (although this book contains a few of the latter's essays as well).

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy is a radical. A libertarian with his foot stuck in the yogurt bucket of the Great Depression and World War II, a man who knew the truth and worked to speak plainly in a mad, burning world. He saw the decadence and tabesence of the American economy, a process he believed had red-lined with the passage of the sixteenth amendment to the Constitution, allowing the income tax. I liked his writing style. I like him. He's right. But it's depressing. The damage is much further along, and things are a lot worse than when he put this to paper.