The great Robert Higgs, author of many books and classic articles on political economy, and longtime opponent of the U.S. government’s policy of imperial war, will be speaking at the Independent Institute in Oakland, CA, this Thursday, December 6. The reception is at 6:30 and the talk begins at 7. There will be Q and A and a book signing.<\/p>\n
In light of his recent book, Neither Liberty Nor Safety<\/em>, the Higgs presentation will be called “Why Are Politicians Always Trying to Scare Us?” Antiwar.com readers would also be interested in his book, Resurgence of the Warfare State<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n Every day, politicians, the media, and interest groups warn of imminent “crises” and “emergencies” which they claim only government can solve by wielding massive new powers. Too often, such purported crises — particularly in the realm of foreign policy — are later proven to have been exaggerated, erroneous or even fabricated. However, such knowledge usually comes well after the new harms created by the government’s “crisis” programs have taken their toll. Higgs has long stood up against the fearmongering warfare state, and has done so with the highest level of scholarship and dedication to principle.<\/p>\n