Book reviews

Yet, in a very real sense, these chapters serve as case studies of a more general thesis that government typically grows during a ,,crisis, " real or imagined. In time of crisis, those who normally would oppose an extension of governmental power can be panicked into approving or even demanding such an exten sion. Rather than endure actual or anticipated social dislocations, or wait for the crisis to be dealt with by market processes, men and women facing a crisis insist that government ,'do something." Professor Higgs rightly points out that "no single standard explanation can account for the timing of the extension of governmental au thority over economic decision-making" and that attempts to provide what one might call a ,'monistic" explanation achieve simplicity at the expense of accuracy. Yet one constant can be observed-that crises provide the opportu nity to extend government powers, and that rarely is the opportunity passed by.

OTHER BOOKS 439 Higgs concludes his study in a minor key. He holds that crises occasioned by many causes-"foreign wars, economic collapse, or rampant terrorism" -inevitably will charac terize the future. "When they ... [occur] gov ernments almost certainly will gain new powers over economic and social affairs. . . . For those who cherish individual liberty and a free society, the prospect is deeply disheartening." Yet that statement comes from the volume's penultimate paragraph. And although the minor key continues in the final paragraph, what is said there offers ground for hope. The author asserts that, while he hopes he is wrong, he is of the opinion that the process leading to an ever more intrusive government cannot be halted. He notes, however, that "Americans have been brought to their present inauspicious circumstances by, above all else, changes in the prevailing ideology. If ideologies are not mere superstructure, if ideas can gain sway through rational consideration in the light of historical evidence and moral persuasion, then there remains a hope, however slight, that the American people may rediscover the worth of individual rights, limited government, and a free society under a true rule of law. ' , This reviewer believes that ideas can most certainly "gain sway" through the educational work of organizations committed to liberty.

Robert Higgs' qualified pessimism certainly has grounds. But so did the even greater pessi mism voiced by Adam Smith. Yet the ideas Adam Smith and other classical liberals formu lated and defended managed to inspire suffi cient men and women to overthrow the night mare that was mercantilism. Hence, while reading this thoughtful volume is not unlike witnessing a Greek tragedy, wincing as one ob serves a heroic character slowly but inexorably moving his or her way toward inevitable de struction, one can close the book not with a sigh of despair but with an intensified desire to do all one can to further the ideas and the ideals upon which liberty ultimately depends. D (The Reverend Dr. John K. Williams of North Melbourne, Australia, has been FEE's summer scholar in residencefor the past three summers.) 440 THE FREEMAN. NOVEMBER 1987 THE RULE OF EXPERTS: OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING IN AMERICA by S. David Young Cato Institute, 224 Second Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003 1987 •99 pages $7.95 paperback Reviewed by Tommy W. Rogers o.

ccupationallicensure. is a political pro cess whereby various trades and pro fessions are enabled to erect barriers against competition through the enforcement power of the state. Some 640 occupations in the United States require registration, and some 490 are currently licensed. This procedure limits consumer choice, raises consumer costs, increases practitioner income, and restricts entry opportunity without a demonstrated im provement in quality or safety beyond that pro vided by private certification. Licensing confers monopoly advantages which enable practitioners of hundreds of ser vices to charge above-market prices. The wealthy can afford to pay but the poor are often forced to do without. It's as if those who cannot afford a Cadillac are forbidden to buy a Honda. But do we not need licensing to insure quality service and weed out quacks? No, says the author. Private certification which limits the use of certain titles-Realtor, for example, and other nonintrusive mechanisms would af ford substantially the same protection, without violating any basic freedoms. D (Tommy W. Rogers is an attorney in Jackson, Mississippi. ) New!

FEE Ties Top quality silk blend gentlemen's ties and ladies' bows, with FEE's logo tastefully depicted in an all over pattern. A classic addition to your accessory wardrobe-and a perfect holiday gift for your fa vorite freedom devotee. Your choice of colors: rich burgundy or dark navy, each with woven logo pattern. Gentlemen's ties $25.00 each Ladies' bows $20.00 Please specify color when or ... dering. Order from: The Foundation for Economic Education Irvington-an-Hudson, New York 10533 THEFREE IDEAS ON LIBERTY 444 Scandals Joseph S. Fulda When peaceful acts are made illegal, "crimes" proliferate. 447 Should Cigarette Advertising Be Banned? Douglas J. Den Uyl and Tibor R. Machan An examination of some moral and Constitutional considerations. 452 The Ancient Suicide of the West Nicholas Davidson Seeking answers to the riddle of the fall of Rome. 463 The Reincarnation of Jim Crow Clint Bolick By advocating government intervention instead of the market, today'g civil rights establishment has sorely hurt the economic future of many black Americans.