The Road to Serfdom

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An unimpeachable classic in political philosophy, intellectual and cultural history, and economics, this work has inspired and infuriated readers for decades. Originally published in 1944, it passionately warns against the dangers of state control over production. F. A. Hayek argues that collectivist policies empowering government with economic control would not lead to utopia, but rather to the horrors witnessed in Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. Over the past sixty years, it has established itself alongside the works of Alexis de Tocqueville, John Stuart Mill, and George Orwell for its exploration of the relationship between individual liberty and government authority. This new edition is part of the Collected Works of F. A. Hayek series and features an introduction by series editor Bruce Caldwell, who discusses the book's origins, publishing history, and common misinterpretations of Hayek's ideas. Caldwell has standardized and corrected references and included new explanatory notes. Additionally, the volume is supplemented with an appendix of related materials, including prepublication reports and forewords by notable figures such as John Chamberlain and Milton Friedman. This edition serves as the definitive version of Hayek's enduring masterwork.