Defending the Free Market: The Moral Case for a Free Economy

by Robert A. Sirico

Overview

The Left has seized on our economic troubles as an excuse to “blame the rich guy” and paint a picture of capitalism and the free market as selfish, greedy, and cruel. Democrats in Congress and “Occupy” protesters across the country assert that the free market is not only unforgiving, it’s morally corrupt. According to President Obama and his allies, only by allowing the government to heavily control and regulate business and by redistributing the wealth can we ensure fairness and compassion.

Exactly the opposite is true, says Father Robert A. Sirico in his thought–provoking new book, Defending the Free Market: The Moral Case for a Free Economy. Father Sirico argues that a free economy actually promotes charity, selflessness, and kindness. And in Defending the Free Market, he shows why free-market capitalism is not only the best way to ensure individual success and national prosperity but is also the surest route to a moral and socially–just society. In Defending the Free Market, Father Sirico shows:

• Why we can’t have freedom without a free economy
• Why the best way to help the poor is to a start a business
• Why charity works—but welfare doesn't
• How Father Sirico himself converted from being a leftist colleague of Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden to recognizing the merits of a free economy.
  

In this heated presidential election year, the Left will argue that capitalism may produce winners, but it is cruel and unfair. Yet as Sirico proves in Defending the Free Market, capitalism does not simply provide opportunity for material success, but it ensures a more ethical and moral society as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596983250
Publisher:	Regnery Publishing
Publication date:	05/22/2012
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	441,591
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

The Rev. Robert Sirico has been active in public policy affairs for more than thirty years. He co-founded the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty in 1990. Father Sirico regularly lectures both in this country and around the world, and his writings have appeared in various publications, including the Wall Street Journal , Forbes , National Review , the London Financial Times , Crisis Magazine , and the New York Times.

Table of Contents

Introduction The End of Freedom? 1

Chapter 1 A Leftist Undone 9

Chapter 2 Why You Can't Have Freedom without a Free Economy 25

Chapter 3 Want to Help the Poor? Start a Business 45

Chapter 4 Why the "Creative Destruction" of Capitalism Is More Creative than Destructive 65

Chapter 5 Why Greed Is Not Good-and Why You Can Get More of It with Socialism than with Capitalism 81

Chapter 6 The Idol of Equality 99

Chapter 7 Why Smart Charity Works-and Welfare Doesn't 115

Chapter 8 The Health of Nations: Why State-Sponsored Health Care Is Not Compassionate 133

Chapter 9 Caring for the Environment Doesn't Have to Mean Big Government 153

Chapter 10 A Theology for Economic Man 169

Afterword 185

Acknowledgments 189

Notes 191

Index 205