Economic Sophisms--Physiology of Plunder (1848)

"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men in a society, over the course of time they create for themselves a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." 
― Frédéric Bastiat

socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/econ/ugcm/3ll3/bastiat/TheLaw.htm

• When law and morality contradict each other, the citizen has the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense or losing his respect for the law.

• Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all. We disapprove of state education. Then the socialists say that we are opposed to any education. We object to a state religion. Then the socialists say that we want no religion at all. We object to a state-enforced equality. Then they say that we are against equality. And so on, and so on. It is as if the socialists were to accuse us of not wanting persons to eat because we do not want the state to raise grain. I do not dispute their right to invent social combinations, to advertise them, to advocate them, and to try them upon themselves, at their own expense and risk. But I do dispute their right to impose these plans upon us by law – by force – and to compel us to pay for them with our taxes.

I am not very familiar with the work of Mr. Bastiat.  If I studied his writings back in the early 80's when I was getting my Sociology degree, I don't recall it.  However, he may have been more frequently referred to in economic classes rather than the social sciences.  In any case, the knowledge he imparted and the wisdom he shared before his death in 1850 is truly thought-provoking.

After watching the State of the Union speech a couple of evenings ago, I somehow came across the works of this individual. As I followed the analysis of the political commentators on social media, one of them referred to his quote that I posted at the top.  That quote summarizes so much of what we are living right now. A group of men (predominantly men) have created a legal system that authorizes plunder and has established a moral code that glorifies it.  Wow!

Our nation and our world have turned its back on God.  The repercussions are coming to fruition.  My dear readers, may this Lenten journey help you experience conversion in your own life!  Then, I pray you bring the light of Christ to everyone in your circle of influence.

​Blessings and peace!