Public Choice and Politics Without Romance (with Mike Munger)

In 'Why Liberalism Failed,' Patrick J. Deneen critiques both classical liberalism (often called libertarianism) and progressive/modern liberalism. He argues that liberalism has created contradictions such as fostering material inequality despite advocating for equal rights, discouraging civic commitments in favor of privatism, and giving rise to a comprehensive state system while pursuing individual autonomy. Deneen contends that liberalism's success is generating its own failure, leading to issues like income inequality, cultural decline, atomization, and the erosion of freedoms. The book examines the outcomes of the growth of the state, the construction of the free market, and the effects of technology on freedoms and culture.

G. W. F. Hegel's Philosophy of Right is a complex and influential work of political philosophy. It explores the nature of the state, civil society, and the ethical life of individuals within a larger social context. Hegel develops his concept of Geist (spirit) and its role in shaping historical and social development. The book examines the relationship between freedom, morality, and law, arguing that the state is the embodiment of ethical life. Its enduring influence stems from its profound insights into the dynamics of power, social institutions, and the human condition.

In 'The Fatal Conceit,' Friedrich Hayek refutes socialism by highlighting the limitations of human reason in designing complex societal systems. He argues that societal order and efficiency emerge from spontaneous processes and the voluntary actions of individuals within a framework of established rules, rather than from top-down planning. Hayek emphasizes the importance of respecting and understanding the spontaneous and extended order of human cooperation, and he advocates for a humble recognition of the limits of human knowledge and the wisdom embedded in evolved social traditions and market processes. The book also critiques the concept of social justice in socialist ideologies, arguing that true social justice should be understood in terms of equality of opportunities rather than equality of outcomes.

Published in 1759, 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' is Adam Smith's first major published work, based on his lectures at Glasgow University. The book argues that morality is driven by humanity's natural sociability and the need for approval from peers, rather than by rational calculation or innate moral sense. Smith introduces key concepts such as sympathy, the impartial spectator, and the invisible hand, which explain how individuals judge the conduct and character of themselves and others. The work delves into the emotional and social aspects of human behavior, highlighting the role of emotions like pity and compassion in shaping moral sentiments and behaviors.

The novel follows three generations of the Trotta family, from their rise to nobility after Lieutenant Trotta saves the life of Emperor Franz Joseph I at the Battle of Solferino in 1859, to their decline and the eventual breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during and after World War I. The story is intertwined with the symbolic 'Radetzky March' by Johann Strauss Sr., which represents the glory and decline of the empire. The novel critiques the social order and military code of honor, highlighting the ironies and unintended consequences of well-intentioned actions that led to the downfall of both the family and the empire.