Bastiat Economic Thought

Description

Journey Through Bastiat's Economic Vision

What if a 19th-century French thinker could help you see through today's economic debates? This course takes you into the world of Frédéric Bastiat, whose sharp insights on markets, government, and human nature still resonate today. You'll explore Bastiat's life, the thinkers who shaped him, and his most powerful ideas like "what is seen and what is not seen". Along the way, you'll discover why his critiques of protectionism, socialism, and government overreach feel surprisingly modern.

You'll start with the thinkers who influenced him, like Adam Smith and Richard Cobden, then dive into his sharpest arguments. Bastiat had a gift for showing where economic logic breaks down, especially around taxes and trade. But he also painted a bigger picture: how markets actually work, why responsibility matters, and what real solidarity looks like beyond government programs. If you're curious about why these debates still matter today, this course might change how you see them.