The Law
1850 · Ludwig von Mises Institute edition, 2007
Bastiat's argument that law exists to protect each person's life, liberty and property, and that it becomes “legal plunder” when it is used to take from some for the benefit of others.
Frédéric Bastiat (1801–1850) wrote The Law in 1850, the year he died. He asks what law is for, and answers that it is the collective organisation of each person’s right to defend themselves, their liberty and their property. When law is turned to taking from some people for the benefit of others, he calls it legal plunder.
This edition, with a 2007 copyright, is published by the Ludwig von Mises Institute, which offers the PDF free. The link opens their copy.