Bastiat

Frédéric Bastiat was a 19th-century French economist and philosopher who advocated for free markets and individual liberty. He believed that free trade, limited government, and personal responsibility lead to economic prosperity and societal well-being. Bastiat famously emphasized understanding both visible benefits and hidden costs of economic actions, cautioning against policies driven by short-term gains that may cause long-term harm. His writings, like “The Law” and “Economic Harmonies,” highlight how protecting individual rights and free enterprise fosters justice and progress, making him a foundational thinker in classical liberal and economic thought.