An Analysis of Friedrich Hayek's The Road to Serfdom

Friedrich Hayeks 1944 Road to Serfdom is a classic of conservative economic argument. While undeniably a product of a specific time in global politics which saw the threat of fascism from Nazi Germany and its allies beguilingly answered by the promises of socialism Hayeks carefully constructed argument is a fine example of the importance of good reasoning in critical thinking. Reasoning is the art of constructing good, persuasive arguments by organizing ones thoughts, supporting ones conclusions, and considering counter-arguments along the way. The Road to Serfdom illustrates all these skills in action; Hayeks argument was that, while many assumed socialism to be the answer to totalitarian, fascist regimes, the opposite was true. Socialist governments reliance on a large state, centralised control, and bureaucratic planning he insisted actually amounts to a different kind of totalitarianism. Freedom of choice, Hayek continued, is a central requirement of individual freedom, and hence a centrally planned economy inevitably constrains freedom. Though many commentators have sought to counter Hayeks arguments, his reasoning skills won over many of the politicians who have shaped the present day, most notably Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.