Isabel Paterson (1886–1961)

Paterson reviews the evolution of governments in terms of individual liberty, private property, and the progress of society in terms of technology and standards of living. From the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans to the states of World War II (it was written in 1942-43) she compares the workings of government to machinery. But she continues to point out that unmanned machinery cannot be effective without a free people to drive it.

When many people lose sight of that last point they begin to believe that our plenty is made by an automatic process, by a ‘machine’ made up of government, industry, agriculture, business, etc. The work points out that these are only elements, like the parts of a power grid, and the individual inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs are the generators or dynamos that provide power to the system. Eliminate their incentives and opportunities and the system will deteriorate. It may function for a time, just as a car will run on battery power; but it is ultimately doomed to failure.

The semi-socialist systems being adopted in the west cannot be maintained, so she writes the equivalent of Lincoln’s ‘House Divided against itself cannot stand’ speech. She was alarmed by the progress that a ‘corporate liberal’ state had made even in 1943. A clear grasp and statement of certain ideas makes this remain an important book for libertarian and other advocates of individualism, private property, liberty, and restraint of government.… (mere)