LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Helms School of Government
Bastiat’s The Law Paper
Submitted to Dr. Soto,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
Gov. 345 – DO1
Jurisprudence
by
Erin Cooper
July 13, 2020
Contents
I. Introduction
II. Bastiat’s World View
a. Addressing ontology, epistemology, axiology, and teleology.
III. Political Terms
a. How terms match up with the Bible.
IV. Personal Evaluation of Bastiat’s Law paper
a. Conclusion
ii
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Introduction
Frederic Basiat, a member of the French Liberal School, was an economist and
philosopher from the 17th century. In his life time he wrote many pieces that expressed his ideals
and beliefs. Although his works are dated the concepts he wrote about remain relevant to today’s
day in age. Basiat’s work is especially important when discussing Jurisprudence. In his paper
“The Law”, he used a biblical world view to shape his opinions on the structure of laws and the
dangers of lawful plunder.
I.
How one views the world provides a frame work for their thoughts and theories
on the life. Each world view address four philosophical questions; all which were touched
on in Basiat’s The Law paper. The first question that needs to be answered is, “How did it
all begin” also referred to as ontology. Basiat being a man of God looks beyond nature to
answer this question; also known as supernaturalism. The first section of Basiat’s paper is
labeled “Life is a Gift from God” thus implying we all began because God created us and
allowed us to be here. The second question goes beyond creation addressing the sources
and validity of truth; otherwise known as epistemology. Bastiat believe in revelation
where God is the supernatural agent to establish what is and is not the truth. This is
shown in his explanation of how God as given us the natural rights to liberty and
freedom. Axiology being the third question measures value. Because Bastiat believes in
God and that there is no idol above him, he would be considered theistic. The fourth and
final aspect addressed in a world view would be teleology where on decides what their
ultimate purpose in life is and what will happen once life ends. One can either spend their
life serving the kingdom of God, or the kingdom of man. Because teleology addresses
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purposes in life, Bastiat’s idea on the subject can be seen in his description for the purpoe
of the law, where he states,
“It is evident, then, that the proper purpose of law is to use the power of its collective
force to stop this fatal tendency to plunder instead of to work. All the measures of the law
should protect property and punish plunder.”
In the section of his paper “Life is a gift from God” we can see how he believes property is given
my God. Laws in other words should be used to protect the natural right God has given us. Basiat
serves the kingdom of God. Basiats world view shapes how he defines terms commomly defined
in law in addition.
II.
From his world view Bastiat had his own ideas on different political terms. Because
Bastiat has a theistic most if not all the terms he lined out match biblically. In the beginning of
his paper he acknowledges that liberty and property are a gift from God. Acknowledging that all
of our rights come from is biblically sound since God created everything. When discussing
power and authority this what the bible has to say,
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except
from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.2 Therefore whoever resists
the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but too bad. Would you have no fear of the
one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval.”
Romans 13:1-3
Reading this verse with no context it seems as if God calls us all to submit to any governing
authority no matter what. When actually God calls us to obey all laws that biblically sound. In
Acts 5: 27-9 Paul refused orders from leaders to stop evangelizing. Bastiat refers to this
unbiblical law as lawful plunder and perversion of the law. Each time Basiat criticizes the law it
is biblical because God has given us the power to refuse laws that take away our inherent rights
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which includes equality and liberty. Fighting for Justice should be in the form of a peaceful
revolution and reformation of the law, which that follows the biblical principle of kindness and
love; not chaos.
III.
I agree with most of Bastiat wrote in his paper. Sharing a biblical worldview, I agreed
with how he approached ending laws that go against our natural given right by God. When there
is an issue we need to approach it peacefully with Gods love. I also do believe lawful plunder is
still alive. We see the government steal money from the American through eminent domain, and
unequal taxation. To fix these issues instead rioting claiming all tax is theft we need to see what
natural given is getting taken away and articulate what law need to be fixed. I also like how
Basiat was able to point the issue of slavery in his time. Even though this paper was written in
the seventeenth century it has ideas that are still very relevant. In the modern day in age there are
new problems and issues that Bastiat’s opinion would be very helpful to get takes on.
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Bibliography
Frédéric Bastiat, "The Law" in Essays on Political Economy, George B. de Huszar, ed.
(Irvington-on-Hudson, N.Y.: Foundation for Economic Education, 1995), p. 52.
