The Road to Serfdom Reflections

"It is necessary now to state the unpalatable truth that it is Germany whose fate we are in some danger of repeating.  The danger is not immediate, it is true, and condition in England and the United States are still so remote from those witnessed in recent years in Germany as to make it difficult to believe that we are moving in the same direction.  Yet, though the road be long, it is one on which it becomes more difficult to turn back as one advances.  If in the long run we are the makers of our own fate, in the short run we are the captives of the ideas we have created.  Only if we recognize the danger in time can we hope to avert it."

F. A. Hayek, The Road to Serfdom, 58.

This weekend, as we celebrated Independence Day, I had the privilege of reading Hayek's work, The Road to Serfdom.  All I can say is, Wow!  The man was incredibly insightful concerning the lessons of history and what they tell us about the future.  He wrote the book in 1944.  Thus, in the above quotation, Hayek is arguing that England and the United States are falling into the same thought forms that brought about Nazi Germany.

Ouch!

What is he talking about?

First, I so appreciate his insight that ideas have consequences.  Even though it is out of favor in academia, I chose to study the history of ideas because I believe our thoughts result in actions.  Our ideas have very real consequences.  This is true of all sorts of ideas- religious, political, or philosophical.  What we think directly influences what we do.

Hayek argues in The Road to Serfdom that the accepted notion of government planning will lead to Fascism.  I am concerned that so many of us throw around terms but we do not define them.  So what is Fascism?  Here is a definition from my computer dictionary.

The term Fascism was first used of the totalitarian right-wing nationalist regime of Mussolini in Italy (1922–43), and the regimes of the Nazis in Germany and Franco in Spain were also fascist. Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one national or ethnic group, a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach.

In particular Hayek argues the emphasis on central planning in Germany gave rise to Hitler by encouraging the idea that government has the right and responsibility to promote "the public good."  Such thought within Germany limited individual freedom while promoting central planning.  As the democratic process bogged down in promoting "the public good" because of differing viewpoints as to what that good should be, it allowed for a "strong" leader to take initiative and power through "the will of the people."

Hayek is quick to point out that such strong leadership can come from either a fascist or a communist.  In other words, neither the political right nor left is immune from this problem!

What does this have to do with the United States and world affairs?  

As individuals we often give up our freedom for security and peace.  It is hardwired into our fallen nature!  Freedom is often messy.  We like neat and tidy.  Tell us what to do, give us some comfort, and we will support you.

How does this work out on a national scale?  Well, that is why Hayek's book is more than merely the above paragraph.  It takes time.  It works through many channels.  Yet, as one gets closer to a totalitarian regime, the process moves quicker.  As Hayek argues, the closer we get to totalitarianism, the harder it is to reverse course.

I will share some more quotes and thoughts as the weeks go by.  What do you think of Hayek's observation about ideas and how they work?