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A review by michaeltylerland
Machinery of Freedom: Guide to a Radical Capitalism by David D. Friedman
5.0
A great look at libertarian and anarcho-capitalist principles from a consequentialist perspective. Friedman argues that we should support private law not out of some moral obligation, but because it will create better outcomes for more people than the system we have now (or any possible future system).
While some of the sections (particularly the one on foreign policy) are somewhat dated, most of the book is relevant to today. I can only wonder what the section on private currency would have been like if Friedman had been able to imagine electronic currencies such as bitcoin when this book was last updated in the 1980s.
Overall I really enjoyed Friedman's description of private law companies and how they would have incentives to work for the benefit of their customers, unlike the government with its current monopoly on law and police protection. However, I seriously doubt that this book would be persuasive to anyone except a minarchist libertarian.
While some of the sections (particularly the one on foreign policy) are somewhat dated, most of the book is relevant to today. I can only wonder what the section on private currency would have been like if Friedman had been able to imagine electronic currencies such as bitcoin when this book was last updated in the 1980s.
Overall I really enjoyed Friedman's description of private law companies and how they would have incentives to work for the benefit of their customers, unlike the government with its current monopoly on law and police protection. However, I seriously doubt that this book would be persuasive to anyone except a minarchist libertarian.