RESURGENCE OF THE WARFARE STATE: The Crisis Since 9/11
by Robert Higgs
A book that practically wrote itself and that will carry you at light speed through its impassioned pages.
Soon after the 9/11 terrorist assault, editors began ringing up Robert Higgs—world-famous for his insights into how the state exploits crises to expand its resources and reach—to solicit commentary on the attacks and the U.S. government's response. Higgs did not realize that the early post-mortems "would be only the opening chapter of a continuing engagement that has now stretched more than three-and-a-half years—and seems likely to go on indefinitely."
These concise, wide-ranging pieces, sometimes calm and musing, sometimes sardonic and satirical, offer a long-view perspective that is all too rare among pundits. They're nothing if not informative—and provocative.
* The moral status of the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
* "Nothing works as well as a crisis, real or perceived, for bringing discredited, seemingly moribund ideas back to life." Case in point: the draft, now pitched as a means of social leveling.
* Has President Bush been reading the wrong book?
* The good-old-boy fraternity at the TSA: "80 contracts worth some $54 million without normal competitive bidding." The accounting mess at the Pentagon.
* Myths of U.S. national security. Myth #1: "That the Defense Department protects the American people in America."
* The new free-for-all in federal spending. "In the immortal words of Boeing vice president Kerry Stonecipher, 'the purse is now open.'"
* One author arrested for reading the Bill of Rights. Another for reading the Constitution. Who were they? During which war were they hauled away?
* Why the defense budget is almost twice as fat as officially reported.
* "Before I explain why it is imperative that President Bush nuke France, I should make clear that I harbor no ill will whatsoever toward the French."
* The power to make war: "[I]n our system the president has come to hold power of war and peace exclusively in his hands, notwithstanding anything to the contrary written in the Constitution or the laws. He might as well be Caesar."
Robert Higgs is a formidable foe if you differ with him, a formidable ally if he's on your side. Read these essays and be prepared to duck if need be... but read them!
Click this link to read an excerpt from the book:
http://laissezfairebooks.com/index.php?action=help&helpfile=resurgenceexcerpt.html
Informant: KeyzerSzoze
A book that practically wrote itself and that will carry you at light speed through its impassioned pages.
Soon after the 9/11 terrorist assault, editors began ringing up Robert Higgs—world-famous for his insights into how the state exploits crises to expand its resources and reach—to solicit commentary on the attacks and the U.S. government's response. Higgs did not realize that the early post-mortems "would be only the opening chapter of a continuing engagement that has now stretched more than three-and-a-half years—and seems likely to go on indefinitely."
These concise, wide-ranging pieces, sometimes calm and musing, sometimes sardonic and satirical, offer a long-view perspective that is all too rare among pundits. They're nothing if not informative—and provocative.
* The moral status of the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
* "Nothing works as well as a crisis, real or perceived, for bringing discredited, seemingly moribund ideas back to life." Case in point: the draft, now pitched as a means of social leveling.
* Has President Bush been reading the wrong book?
* The good-old-boy fraternity at the TSA: "80 contracts worth some $54 million without normal competitive bidding." The accounting mess at the Pentagon.
* Myths of U.S. national security. Myth #1: "That the Defense Department protects the American people in America."
* The new free-for-all in federal spending. "In the immortal words of Boeing vice president Kerry Stonecipher, 'the purse is now open.'"
* One author arrested for reading the Bill of Rights. Another for reading the Constitution. Who were they? During which war were they hauled away?
* Why the defense budget is almost twice as fat as officially reported.
* "Before I explain why it is imperative that President Bush nuke France, I should make clear that I harbor no ill will whatsoever toward the French."
* The power to make war: "[I]n our system the president has come to hold power of war and peace exclusively in his hands, notwithstanding anything to the contrary written in the Constitution or the laws. He might as well be Caesar."
Robert Higgs is a formidable foe if you differ with him, a formidable ally if he's on your side. Read these essays and be prepared to duck if need be... but read them!
Click this link to read an excerpt from the book:
http://laissezfairebooks.com/index.php?action=help&helpfile=resurgenceexcerpt.html
Informant: KeyzerSzoze
Starmail - 29. Okt, 12:46
