The Constitution of Liberty: The Definitive Edition

From the billion bailout of the banking industry to president Barack Obamarsquos 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 Enter Nobel Prizendashwinning economist and political theorist F A Hayek whose passionate warning against empowering states with greater economic control The Road to Serfdom became an overnight sensation last summer when it was endorsed by Glenn Beck The book has since sold over copiesThe latest entry in the University of Chicago Pressrsquos series of newly edited editions of Hayekrsquos works The Constitution of Liberty is like Serfdom just as relevant to our present moment The book is considered Hayekrsquos classic statement on the ideals of freedom and liberty ideals that he believes have guidedmdashand must continue to guidemdashthe 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 governmentmdashas 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 politymdashunder the rule of law and with strong constitutional protections of individual rightsmdashrepresents the best chance for the continuing existence of libertyStriking a balance between skepticism and hope Hayekrsquos profound insights are timelier and more welcome than ever before This definitive edition of The Constitution of Liberty will give a new generation the opportunity to learn from his enduring wisdom.