Democracy: The God That Failed

The Economics and Politics of Monarchy, Democracy and Natural Order (Perspectives on Democratic Practice)

By: Hans-Hermann Hoppe

Narrated by: Paul Strikwerda

This sweeping book is a systematic treatment of the historic transformation of the West from limited monarchy to unlimited democracy. Revisionist in nature, it reaches the conclusion that monarchy, with all its failings, is a lesser evil than mass democracy but outlines deficiencies in both as systems of guarding liberty.

By focusing on this transformation from private to public government, the author is able to interpret many historical phenomena, such as rising levels of crime, degeneration of standards of conduct and morality, the decline in security and freedom, and the growth of the mega-state.

In addition, Hoppe deconstructs the classical liberal belief in the possibility of limited government and calls for an alignment of anti-statist conservatism and libertarianism as natural allies with common goals. He defends the proper role of the production of defense as undertaken by insurance companies on a free market and describes the emergence of private law among competing insurers.

The author goes on to assess the prospects for achieving a natural order of liberty. Informed by his analysis of the radical deficiencies of social democracy, and armed with the social theory of legitimation, he foresees secession as the likely future of the US and Europe, resulting in a multitude of region and city-states.

Democracy: The God That Failed is a brilliant and unflinching work that will be of intense interest to scholars and students of history, political economy, and political philosophy.

©2001 Routledge (P)2021 Ludwig von Mises Institute

Excellent book, excellent narration

Definitely interesting to chew on and consider. Well articulated and argued, whether you agree or disagree you'll find something on here to turn over in your mind and be enriched by the engagement.

Also just wanna mention that Mr Strikwerda's narration was excellent. Lively and vital, expressive, moving at an even and measured clip, does a good job with names, makes his points with the sort of force and conviction that one imagines the author wrote it with. I'll be looking for more books narrated by Strikwerda, whatever the subject of the book happens to be!

Audiobook Chapter 11 is actually a repeat of Chapter 9

Terrific book. However, Chapter 11 “On the Errors of Classical Liberalism and the Future of Liberty” is not included. Instead, the audiobook repeats Chapter 9 and then goes straight to Chapter 12 as the next chapter on National Defense. Perhaps it is included later but I wanted to write this review just in case I forgot.

An informed and honest intellectual ride.

I see why people attack Professor Hoppe with both fallacies and meanness: he tells the truth. This book is too truthful and that´s a sin for academia, the media, and all those that compose the Intellectual Yet Idiots Class of myth merchants. There is no waste in this book. It´s exciting, stimulant and mind-blowing on repeated instances. Yet so straightforward, calm and not pompous (which is another sin in the eyes of the IYIs). Definitely closer to the truth than most that is taught in colleges and universities, repeated in media, and elsewhere. Some ideas and opinions are pretty hard to swallow and require a lot more time for digestion. Be patient and give it time when reading/ listening to it. Buy it and go over it.

insightful book

Hans Herman Hoppe has the courage to take on one of Western society's sacred values: democracy. He convincingly describe the inherent problems with democratic rule and it's corruption of the general public

Great collection

Hoppe's accent is thick and that was one obstacle I'd hoped to overcome with this audiobook. Unfortunately, the English accent of the narrator was just as difficult for me. Still, great book.