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Democracy: The God That Failed

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

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About this listen

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 Political Science Politics & Government Sociology Freedom Government Taxation Socialism Economic Inequality Capitalism
All stars
Most relevant
Well spoken, great thinking, a good rebuttal to the myth of free markets leading to cultural decay.

Essential Modern Right Wing Listening

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Brutal. Wild. Offers great insights into how democracies are failing across the world, as well as some potential solutions.

Wild!

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Introduced a set of a priori arguments that are incontrovertible. From these alone we can identify what works in reality. We can also see the mess we’re in by trying to ignore the truth.

Made sense to me.

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It is a pamphlet sustaining that democracy’s the worst system possible, without real analysis (see the correlation democracy/criminality!)
No doubts, no nuisances, just a passionate aggressive form of radical libertarian ideas, that others were more able to defend.
The reader is perfect in giving the prophetical and militant tone.
A thought that, probably without wanting, open space to fascism.
I tried to read for understanding better these ideas, but I waste time and money

The equivalent of flat earthism

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This book makes sweeping claims, yet a closer reading shows that many of them do not withstand basic scrutiny. Several arguments rely on broad generalizations and dismissive characterizations rather than careful evidence, and the overall perspective reflects a strongly one-sided ideological stance that feels dated in light of current research and policy debates. In particular, the treatment of communism and social democracy lacks nuance and suggests a limited engagement with those traditions beyond surface-level assumptions.

In audiobook form, these weaknesses are compounded by the presentation. The narration is delivered at a flat, monotonous pace, and it is often unclear which statements are quotations, who is being cited, or in what context. This makes it unnecessarily difficult for the listener to critically evaluate the arguments or distinguish analysis from assertion.

Taken together, the audiobook functions less as a balanced exploration of ideas and more as an illustration of how ideologically driven commentary can oversimplify complex political and social issues. As such, it offers little value to readers seeking an informed or intellectually rigorous discussion of contemporary democratic challenges.

Right-wing ideology from arm-chair philosopers

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