And the Limits of Government

How has the modern welfare state redefined our notion of individual liberty? Are we free to express ourselves in speech, at work, or through sex? Arguing that equality is often the most potent rival of liberty, Charles Fried demonstrates how the dense tangle of government regulations both supports and threatens our personal freedoms. Richly illustrated with examples from contemporary life, Modern Liberty is vividly relevant to the experiences and needs of everyday Americans. This is Hayek's The Road to Serfdom updated for a time when we have put fascist and Marxist tyranny firmly behind us but still confront kinder, gentler threats to our liberty. Armed with Fried's insights, readers will be better able to defend themselves against those on both the left and the right who would limit their liberty to promote virtue, equality, or the greatness of the nation. Modern Liberty has profound implications for the societies in which we live now. “An erudite, sharp-tongued libertarian, eager to do battle with censors, regulators... and sanctimonious busybodies of every stripe.”―New York Times

In this impassioned defense of liberty, renowned Harvard law professor Charles Fried argues that the seemingly unimpeachable goals of equality and community are often the most potent rivals of freedom. Declared a “spirited, sophisticated manifesto” by the New York Times Book Review, Modern Liberty demonstrates how the dense tangle of government regulations both supports and threatens our personal liberties. Armed with Fried’s insights, readers will be better able to defend themselves against those on both the left and the right who would, even with the best intentions, restrict their liberty.