The Political Economy Book Club discusses Parts 1 & 2 of “Social
Statics” by Herbert Spencer (1851 edition). Economist Murray Rothbard
called Social Statics “the greatest single work of libertarian political philosophy ever written.” Spencer argued that the state was not an “essential” institution and that it would “decay” as voluntary market organization would replace the coercive aspects of the state.
The book may be freely downloaded from here. Parts 3 & 4 of Social Statics will be discussed on February 19, 2014.
If you have previously taken Progress & Poverty, you can supplement these discussions by enrolling in our Human Rights course, a large part of which deals with how and why Spencer radically expurgated later editions of this work. The course starts January 21 per this schedule, and you can enroll here.
Meetings of the Political Economy Book Club are free and open to the public. This one will be Wednesday January 22 at 6 PM at 30 E Adams St. #1207. For further information or to let us know you’re coming, email PEBC coordinator Bob Matter or call 312 450 2906.