Source link: http://archive.mises.org/14911/its-time-for-this-great-book-to-reach-the-masses/
It’s time for this great book to reach the masses
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The Ludwig von Mises Institute
Tu Ne Cede Malis
Advancing the Scholarship of Liberty in the Tradition of the Austrian School
{ 23 comments }
Ooh, fitting cover.
I’m a bit too young to remember this first hand, but didn’t Reagan often chastise his political opponents for referring to the “working class” or “the masses.”
It seems to me intelligent for liberty-minded activists not to demean (even appear to demean) the “masses” in a democracy. Much more effective to say, “the people” or something like that. Mises often referred to the masses (no?), but I’m thinking this is because he was a European aristocrat.
Always good to speak to people as if you’re one of them. It builds trust.
“The masses” isn’t offensive because no one believes he is among them. Everyone agrees that most people are quite stupid.
I think it depends on the image that the word conjures up inside of you. For me, “the people” sounds more personal and individualistic, while “the masses” sounds more general and collectivist. I know that’s not intended, but I do understand the thought presented.
hmmm, I sort of like the word “masses” but that’s just me.
Don’t get me too wrong here… I’m not saying we’re all capable of understanding abstract arguments. That certainly isn’t true (and if one thinks otherwise I’d be interested to see where this person spends his days). Most people have talents and gifts they can employ, but it seems relatively few really get, or even care for, the big picture. Do you think “the masses” will even appreciate the argument? I have my doubts.
I was simply (and somewhat cynically) asserting my belief that, in democracy, you need to appeal to as many as possible. And to speak in exclusionary language of an elitist is therefore counterproductive.
Just my two cents on the “masses appreciating the argument” part, I don’t think anything in that book is beyond most people, at least for a basic understanding of money. I always figure that if ordinary people are able to understand football in incredibly intricate detail, and its bewildering variety of rules/tactics/players/teams/injuries/drafts/free agency/schedules/stats/records/history etc, they can understand anything. It’s just a matter of relevance, experience, and exposure. Of course, in a more sensible, less governmentish world, people most certainly should be more concerned with sports scores than Fed policy or fractional reserve banking, etc. It’s probably a better use of time. But I guess we don’t live there.
Jeffrey, I like huddled masses even better!
What about unwashed masses?
The only problem I have with it is the title. What a horrible title for such an insightful book.
I’ve always liked the title. It’s not sensational, and it says exactly what the book is. Besides, who needs another doomday type title on their bookshelf?
NATIONAL DOOM: HOW AMERICA IS TOTALLY SCREWED by Murray Rothbard. Hmm. Just doesn’t quite seem to fit.
LOL: “It’s time for this great book to reach the masses” … followed by the lack of a link to the free e-version and a post deriding intellectual property.
Only on Mises.org…
Silas, suck my motherfucking dick.
Do you realize how this type of response makes it difficult for me to let my children read this site?
Well, your children shouldn’t be exposed to Silas’ rubbish anyway. They might pick up bad habits.
Welcome to the Internet. You must be new here.
I’m not new to the internet, but the kids are. (Isn’t this obvious?) I’d like to think that this site could attain the highest standards for civility in discourse, regardless of how spirited. Perhaps I expect too much, even from ideological compatriots.
Beefcake’s comment is the stylistic equivalent of a wife beater and baggy shorts to Jeffrey Tucker’s suit and tie. You are free to wear whatever you want, but you aren’t free from the character judgements made by those who observe you.
The comments need an “ignore” button.
http://mises.org/books/whathasgovernmentdone.pdf
Mr. Tucker never links to the free version in the release announcements (though if he started it would save me a few clicks), and this book has been in the literature archives practically forever.
yeah, well, the post is about our new book, for goodness sake. We have plenty of posts about ebooks too. Good grief, you just can’t please this Silas guy, who doesn’t even believe we should be making free books available. These IP people: nuts you can’t crack.
Why do you think I don’t believe you should be making free ebooks available? Belief in right X does not imply belief that you should never waive right X.
Spoken like a true libertarian!
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