Introduction – Why this book is needed

F. A. Hayek (1899–1992) was one of the most important social thinkers of the last hundred years. Law, Legislation and Liberty (1973–79) is one of his most important books. A polymath with doctorates in both law and political science, and with a keen interest in psychology and evolutionary theory, Hayek received the Nobel Prize for his work on economics and social organisation. Alongside his economic contributions on trade cycles and inflation, he published influential books on political philosophy, including The Road to Serfdom, The Constitution of Liberty and The Fatal Conceit.

Law, Legislation and Liberty is a significant and innovative part of this output. It draws on Hayek’s lifetime study of economics, political theory, philosophy, the history of ideas and information science, weaving them into a new understanding of how society, law and politics function. It presents a hugely original view of the foundation of our social institutions, criticises the very idea of ‘social justice’, rejects all visionary attempts to reshape society, explains our present discontents with democracy and proposes a new constitution to protect our freedom and institutions for the future.

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