Delusions of Power: New Explorations of the State, War, and Economy
“An important book for our time on the nature of political power. Robert Higgs describes the government’s use of wars and real and fabricated crises to expand its power. It is history well-told and should be thought-provoking to all, whatever their political preferences.” —Stanley L. Engerman, John H. Munro Professor of Economics and professor of history, University of Rochester“There is no economist today who has thought more seriously than Robert Higgs about the relationship between the state and the economy. His examinations of the state are grounded in historical scholarship, rigorous analytics, and in a lively and blunt style. In the process, the reader will see many historical myths exploded and sacred cows skewered.Delusions of Poweris a must read for anyone who wants to understand the permanent-war economies that have been created in the 20th and 21st centuries.”  —Peter J. Boettke, professor of economics, George Mason University“Even James Madison asked throughout his lifetime ‘In a free society, what is the proper relationship between individuals and the state?’ Few scholars in American history have contributed more to the freedom side of that inquiry than Robert Higgs . . . .  InDelusions of Power, Professor Higgs has assembled a lifetime of wisdom and analysis about this continually-asked question; and future generations will look here for the courageous intellectual fire-power with which to challenge the federal beast that consumes our freedoms every day.”  —Judge Andrew P. Napolitano, senior judicial analyst, Fox News Channel“Lively throughout and based on deep historical knowledge,Delusions of Powercan be read profitably by anyone interested in the fundamental controversies of economics and politics.”   —Timur Kuran, professor of economics and political science, and Gorter Family Professor of Islamic Studies, Duke University