Henry Hazlitt
Biography
Henry Hazlitt (1894–1993) was a prominent American journalist, economist, and literary critic, best known for his advocacy of free markets and classical liberal principles. Born in Philadelphia, he began his career at The Wall Street Journal, eventually writing for The New York Times, Newsweek, The Nation, and The Freeman. A prolific writer, Hazlitt authored numerous books, the most famous being 'Economics in One Lesson,' which has sold millions of copies and remains a seminal work explaining basic economic principles through clear, accessible prose. He was a staunch proponent of the Austrian School of economics and a vocal critic of Keynesianism and government intervention. Hazlitt played a crucial role in popularizing economic ideas for the general public, influencing generations of free-market advocates. He was also a respected literary critic and an influential figure in conservative intellectual circles.
Selected Thoughts
«The art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate but at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups.»
«Inflation is a form of taxation that can be imposed without legislation.»
«The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.»
Writing Style
Hazlitt's writing style is characterized by its remarkable clarity, logical rigor, and accessible prose. He excelled at distilling complex economic concepts into understandable terms for the general public, often using simple examples and analogies to illustrate his points. His style is direct, persuasive, and often polemical, aiming to dismantle common economic fallacies with precise reasoning and a consistent adherence to free-market principles.