More Liberty Means Less Government: Our Founders Knew This Well (Hoover Institution Press Publication ; No. 453)

Rating:
Summary: Walter Williams Views on Economics and Politics
Review: Williams assembled this book using some of his favorite previously published columns. An economics professor and outspoken on political and social issues, Williams? views take on a libertarian/conservative flavor. And the columns he selected for this book are consistent in their analysis, with Williams always taking the pro- liberty position, regardless of topic.

This book includes sections titled 1. Race & Sex, 2. Government, 3. Education, 4. Environment and Health,
5. International, 6. Law and Society, and 7. Potpourri, which is a miscellaneous category that includes columns that do not fit into one of the other six. Each of these seven sections includes articles relating to that particular topic, with titles and dates of original publication.

Williams talks at length about economic issues, which should be expected given his background and his profession. But he is just as effective (many even more so) when he tackles personal issues in this book, like racism, sex equality, the failed war on drugs, and other non- economic topics. His greatest skill comes in the way he takes complicated topics and explains them using examples that anyone can relate to and understand.

If I had to make a few criticisms of this book, it would first be the fact that the book doesn?t flow very well. Since it is comprised of a collection of previously published material, it doesn?t read like a normal book. Also, I did notice a few typos and awkward sentences that are not always easy to follow. Williams writes this book using a style that attempts to use as few words as possible to get a point across. This is nice, for the sake of saving space. But it can sometimes prove to be inadequate for reading and effective communication.

Williams is considered a conservative, even though he is obviously not a social conservative, based on the views he stresses in this writing. He is often politically incorrect, which I admire and enjoy. Still, the fact that he is considered conservative will cause many to disagree with many of his opinions and forego giving this book a chance. However, I think the book is still worth a look regardless of political persuasion. Williams may not change your mind about a particular political or economic topic, but he will succeed at making you reconsider some of your positions or at least looking at them from a different perspective. His style is persuasive and convincing, even if you don?t agree with him one- hundred percent.