Frederic Bastiat

Frédéric Bastiat was a 19th-century French economist and political theorist known for his advocacy of free markets and limited government. He believed that economic policies should promote individual freedom and that government intervention often leads to unintended consequences. Bastiat is famous for his concept of "opportunity cost," which illustrates that every choice has trade-offs. His essays, such as "What Is Seen and What Is Not Seen," emphasize the importance of considering both the immediate and hidden effects of economic decisions. His ideas have had a lasting influence on classical liberalism and economic thought.