Legal Plunder Has Many Names

by Frédéric Bastiat

　　Now, legal plunder can be committed in an infinite number of ways.Thus we have an infinite number of plans for organizing it: tariffs,protection, benefits, subsidies, encouragements, progressive taxation,public schools, guaranteed jobs, guaranteed profits, minimum wages, aright to relief, a right to the tools of labor, free credit, and soon, and so on. All these plans as a whole --with their common aim oflegal plunder -- constitute socialism.

　　Now, since under this definition socialism is a body of doctrine,what attack can be made against it other than a war of doctrine? Ifyou find this socialistic doctrine to be false, absurd, and evil, thenrefute it. And the more false, the more absurd, and the more evil itis, the easier it will be to refute. Above all, if you wish to bestrong, begin by rooting out every particle of socialism that mayhave crept into your legislation. This will be no light task.