Omnipotent Government: The Rise of the Total State and Total War (Liberty Fund Library of the Works of Ludwig von Mises)

This book was very interesting and followed German society and its descent into Nazism from 1880 to around 1945. Great book, should never have been forgotten in history.

Reading this book really expanded my knowledge. I got exposed to this field from Henry hanzlit!May this become a trend!

Es dreht sich in diesem Buch viel um die Geschichte Deutschlands und es werden sehr viele interessante Aspekte genannt. Wie immer ein sehr empfehlenswertes Buch von Ludwig von Mises.

I am often wrongly accused of being anti-government, because I believe in limited government. Let me quote from this very book a refutation of that accusation:"If a man says that sulphuric acid does not make a good hand lotion, he is not expressing hostility to sulphuric acid as such; he is simply giving his opinion concerning the limitations of its use."The extent to which this book, first published in 1944, describes the goings-on in the world today is downright eerie. But then again, human nature never changes, and so I expect this book to be as relevant a century from now as it was the best part of a century ago. If you find yourself feeling bewildered and powerless because of what's currently happening worldwide, this is a book you must read. If the quotes below don't convince you of this, then I don't know what will.1. "Every doctrine that has recourse to the police power or to other methods of violence or threat for its protection reveals its inner weakness. If we had no other means to judge the Nazi doctrines, the single fact that they seek shelter behind the Gestapo would be sufficient evidence against them. Doctrines which can stand the trial of logic and reason can do without persecuting skeptics."2. "Where the universities become bodyguards and the scholars are eager to range themselves in a 'scientific front,' the gates are open for the entry of barbarism. It is vain to fight totalitarianism by adopting totalitarian methods. Freedom can only be won by men unconditionally committed to the principles of freedom. The first requisite for a better social order is the return to unrestricted freedom of thought and speech."3. "It is a great comfort to every administration to be able to make its citizens happy by spending. For public opinion will then attribute the resulting boom to its current rulers. The inevitable slump will occur later and burden their successors.... We are destined to spend decades paying for the easy money orgy of a few years."4. "If war becomes unavoidable, a genuinely democratic government is forced to tell the country the truth. It must say: 'We are compelled to fight for our independence. You citizens must carry the burden. You must pay higher taxes and therefore restrict your consumption.' But if the ruling party does not want to imperil its popularity by heavy taxation, it takes recourse to inflation."Do keep in mind, though, that the words "liberal" and "liberalism" as used in this book have absolutely nothing to do with the so-called liberals and liberalism of today. Over the decades, the words have been hijacked and twisted to mean exactly the opposite of their original meaning. Wherever you read "liberal" in this book, substitute "libertarian" or "conservative".

Facts are facts. What is said in this book is true and happens all the time.