THE FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION is a non-profit research and educational institution. It is responsible to no outside person or group—either in government, business, labor, or agriculture. Its sole purpose is a search for truth in economics, political science, and related subjects. Further information, including a list of publications, will be sent on request.

A speculation on the recovery of freedom

LEONARD E. READ

The Foundation for Economic Education, Inc.

Irvington-on-Hudson, New York • 1967

The Ludwig von Mises Institute is dedicated to advancing the Austrian School of economics and libertarian scholarship. Founded in 1982, the Institute defends individual liberty, the free market, private property, sound money, and peace. Its broad range of teaching programs, fellowships, publications, and conferences is supported by voluntary donations.

THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER

Leonard E. Read, author of numerous articles, has written the following books:

Romance of Reality (o.p.)

Pattern for Revolt

Outlook for Freedom

Students of Liberty

Government: An Ideal Concept

Why Not Try Freedom?

Elements of Libertarian Leadership

Anything That’s Peaceful

The Free Market and Its Enemy

Deeper Than You Think

TO THE REMNANT

who have not given up the ghost

who think for themselves

who act as men, not as gods

Accommodating Caesar

It’s a lopsided contest these days between freedom and authoritarianism, libertarianism and socialism, individualism and collectivism, willing and unwilling exchange, the free market and the planned economy, capitalism and statism, voluntarism and coercion—call these opposites what you will.

Wisdom is Awareness

The more one knows, the greater is the awareness of not knowing. To illustrate:

A—One’s light—knowing—ten years ago

B—Today: the knowing has expanded

Observe how much more darkness—the unknown—is now visible to the growing person than formerly, and the point is clear.

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THE CASE FOR THE NON-COERCIVE SOCIETY

by Leonard E. Read

January 1973