Skip to content

It is no accident that the system of economic competition leads steadily to centralization within the economic field itself; while in the state, centralization has been accompanied by the recognition of the need for decentralization and the practical establishment of it.

— Herman Finer Road to Reaction (1945)

Another quote →

More quotes by Herman Finer

Hayek's assumption is that political power is neither limited in scope, restricted in authority, responsible in operation, nor co-operative and decentralized in execution. This assumption is stupid.

Road to Reaction (1945)

Hayek's unscrupulous travesty of the democratic process of securing legislation (for that is the first basis of any government plan) culminates in his general contempt for the democratic notion altogether.

Road to Reaction (1945)

No one intends to "plan" or "collectivize" or "socialize" all economic activities, but many do wish to administer solid remedies to an admittedly defective order. Hayek allows no refuge, however, to the moderate person. He does not let you be moderate: it spoils his theory!

Road to Reaction (1945)

On grounds of history; on grounds of logic; on grounds of the misuse of terms; of the abuse of authorities; of the neglect of verified information; of the use of the most infantile fallacy known to logic, viz. post hoc, ergo propter hoc — Hayek's attempt to identify socialism and planning and dictatorship and totalitarianism is not only a failure, it is a snare.

Road to Reaction (1945)

All Herman Finer quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Herman Finer (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.