Arthur Seldon – författare

From the mid 1950s to the late 1980s, Ralph Harris and Arthur Seldon, as general director and editorial director respectively of the IEA, battled against a conventional wisdom which was hostile to markets. Eventually, by force of argument, they overcame much of the resistance to market ideas, and in the process established the Institute's formidable influence in shaping both opinion and policy. This Occasional Paper begins with a transcript of a conversation with Harris and Seldon which provides many insights into how they worked and what obstacles they encountered. Eight distinguished scholars, each familiar with the work of the Institute, then provide commentaries which assess its influence on thinking and the challenge to government which it constituted during the Harris/Seldon years.

Governments have been taking control of activities - 'public' goods, 'public' utilities, welfare and local government services - which would have been better left to the private sector. Most of them were being privately provided before the state crowded out private initiatives. People will increasingly escape to non-state suppliers unless the government withdraws from many of these activities. Government should reduce its share of national income from 40 per cent to 20 per cent. Arthur Seldon, for many years the IEA's editorial director, argues that attempts to correct market 'imperfections' have created over-government. But the 'escapable power of political government' is up against the 'irresistible economic force of the market'. Sir Samuel Brittan contributes a comment in which he says that Seldon's paper reveals 'a deep belief in the superior ability of ordinary citizens to make their own choices and decisions better than governments or experts or committees'.

Arthur Seldon';s new book is a tenacious and elegant ';celebration'; of capitalism despite its faults. Traditionally, socialist critics have contrasted capitalism as it is in the world we have known with socialism as it is envisaged in a world they have yet to demonstrate is possible. It creates a false debate that socialism must win and capitalism cannot win whatsoever its achievements. Furthermore, it confuses the people';s choice between the ';capitalist hell'; they know and the ';socialist heaven'; they are promised. Using the methodology of the critics of capitalism in the opposite direction, the book places socialism as it is against capitalism as it could be. Arthur Seldon argues that neither system is without faults and failures, but that an informed choice is properly made by assessing the degree to which they can be corrected. The book argues that, unlike socialism, the waknesses of capitalism are not inevitable nor fundamental to the system it creates and concludes that it is with capitalism that the choice must lie. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

This new version of ‘Advertising in a Free Society’ is valuable reminder of the fundamental role advertising plays in society. Although the criticisms aimed towards it, which Ralph Harris and Arthur Seldon aimed to dispel over half a century ago, continue to gain support, policy makers and campaigners risk undermining our freedom if they continue this crusade against the advertising industry. We should celebrate the fact that advertising empowers the everyday shopper, rather than undermining both businesses and consumers through constraining the industry.

This new version of ‘Advertising in a Free Society’ is valuable reminder of the fundamental role advertising plays in society. Although the criticisms aimed towards it, which Ralph Harris and Arthur Seldon aimed to dispel over half a century ago, continue to gain support, policy makers and campaigners risk undermining our freedom if they continue this crusade against the advertising industry. We should celebrate the fact that advertising empowers the everyday shopper, rather than undermining both businesses and consumers through constraining the industry.

The subject of advertising is often treated with indifference by economists and disdain by the public. Indeed, from time-to-time, there have been calls to ban advertising. Though there has been no general ban, advertising has been prohibited in some sectors and further regulation in this field is continually being considered. Given the importance of advertising in political discussion and the lack of evidence regarding its role and effectiveness, Ralph Harris and Arthur Seldon published Advertising in a Free Society in the late 1950s. This seminal work provided a dispassionate and serious analysis of the subject. It concluded that advertising played a positive role in communicating information and building brand loyalty. Interestingly, some of the most dishonest forms of promotion came from politicians. Christopher Snowdon has skillfully abridged Harris and Seldon's work whilst adding important modern insights. Perhaps the most important of these is his critique of the claim that advertising coerces people into acting against their best interests.He also finds that the modern economic literature largely supports Harris and Seldon's view that advertising facilitates competition and lowers prices. This new study is an important work for all interested in public policy as well as for those studying marketing in business schools or as part of a professional qualification.

Arthur Seldon was born in 1916 and has been writing on classical liberal economics since the 1930s, when he was a student at the London School of Economics during Friedrich Hayek's time there. For over thirty years he was Editorial Director of the London-based Institute of Economic Affairs, where his publishing program was one of the principal influences on governments all around the world, persuading them to liberalise their economies. "The Virtues of Capitalism", the inaugural volume in Liberty Fund's Collected Works of Arthur Seldon, presents the foundation of Seldon's views and theories of capitalism and its alternatives. Entitled "Corrigible Capitalism; Incorrigible Socialism", part one of "The Virtues of Capitalism" was first published in 1980. It explains why, Seldon believes, 'private enterprise is imperfect but redeemable', but the state economy promises the earth, and ends in coercion to conceal its incurable failure. The second part, 'Capitalism', is widely considered to be Seldon's finest work. It covers a wide range of the classical liberal thought that inspired the movement toward free-market reforms in Great Britain in opposition to the collectivist tide of socialism. In an understandable and eloquent manner, Seldon offers 'Capitalism' as a celebration rather than a defence of classical liberalism.

This is the third volume of The Collected Works of Arthur Seldon', which translates the often obscure jargon and technical terminology of economics into direct, plain English understandable by both the academic and the layperson. The most abstruse topic becomes clear as he conveys the sense in ordinary language, without loss of meaning through oversimplification. The volume covers a wide range of economic thought and includes every relevant term that the average person might encounter in a written or other treatment of the subject. In addition to conveying a sense of how economic thought has evolved over the centuries, the Dictionary stimulates and challenges readers in its questioning of conventional wisdom about government intervention and manipulation of economies. It too has "stood the test of time"; nearly thirty years after the second edition and forty years after the first, this book still engages readers -- economists and nonprofessionals alike. An indispensable reference for laypeople and for academics. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Colin Robinson was a business economist for 11 years. He was then appointed to the Chair of Economics at the University of Surrey in Guildford where he founded the Department of Economics and is now Emeritus Professor. For many years he has been associated with the London-based Institute of Economic Affairs, and from 1992 to 2002 he was the IEAs Editorial Director.

This is the fourth volume in Liberty Fund's "The Collected Works of Arthur Seldon". It brings together six of Seldon's most pivotal essays that discuss his alternative proposals for paying for 'public' services rather than through coercive taxation. Specifically, Seldon focuses on the varied use of vouchers and the choices people have regarding purchasing or receiving such public services as health care and education. The recurring theme, as noted in Colin Robinson's introduction, is that "non-market provision, financed by taxpayers, leads to a fatal disconnection between suppliers and consumers". Throughout this book, Seldon examines the options and obligations of the government as the 'middle-man'. Seldon creates a compelling case that through a return to market principles, "efficiency in the provision of these services will improve, and, above all, people will regain the incentive to provide for themselves instead of relying on the state". This volume is an invaluable resource for those embroiled in the public debate over such issues as education vouchers, managed health care, and overwhelming taxation.

Arthur Seldon uses public choice economics research to support his theory of over-government. The term "over-government" was coined by Seldon and is defined as the failure of governments to govern well, leading the public to avoid government programs in favour of markets. Seldon explains how the results of government programs are always at odds with what the people would have chosen for themselves, because governments seek to impose taxes and legislature based on their own agendas. This increasing control and restraint by the government will continue to force people to abandon those ineffective programs for more open markets and other countries that support them. Seldon argues that government bureaucrats rely too heavily on unions, labour groups, and lobbyists and act in their own interest instead of opening those options up to the people they serve. Seldon purports that any government that continues to force its own views and desires on the unwilling public will lead to its own demise as the public searches elsewhere for a more representative democracy.

These volumes span 65 years of Seldon's influential thought and elaborate on the genesis of almost all the public/private debates currently before the world. His arguments are as compelling and relevant today as they were over half a century ago. Each volume of this series has a contextual introduction and, except for Volume 3, an individual index. Volume 7 contains an index to the entire series. Volume 3 co-written with Fred G Pennance is an essential tool for anyone who wants a better understanding of political economics.

Economic Affairs, where his publishing program was one of the principal influences on governments all around the world, persuading them to liberaliee their economies. "The Virtues of Capitalism", the inaugural volume in Liberty Fund's Collected Works of Arthur Seldon, presents the foundation of Seldon's views and theories of capitalism and its alternatives. Entitled "Corrigible Capitalism; Incorrigible Socialism", part one of "The Virtues of Capitalism" was first published in 1980. It explains why, Seldon believes, 'private enterprise is imperfect but redeemable', but the state economy promises the earth, and ends in coercion to conceal its incurable failure. The second part, 'Capitalism', is widely considered to be Seldon's finest work. It covers a wide range of the classical liberal thought that inspired the movement toward free-market reforms in Great Britain in opposition to the collectivist tide of socialism. In an understandable and eloquent manner, Seldon offers 'Capitalism' as a celebration rather than a defence of classical liberalism.

This is the second volume of Liberty Fund's "The Collected Works of Arthur Seldon". It brings together a comprehensive collection of fifty-four articles reflecting Arthur Seldon's scholarly development. By the late twentieth century, Arthur Seldon was one of the most powerful exponents of classical liberalism, helping to stimulate its revival, through both his own writings and the publications of the London-based Institute of Economic Affairs, of which he was Editorial Director for more than 30 years. First published in 1994, this book collects virtually all of Seldon's major ideas and his proposals for reform. In its totality, "The State Is Rolling Back" demonstrates Seldon's long-standing advocacy and commitment to free-market reforms and includes his earliest, barbed criticisms of the 'welfare state'.

This is the fourth volume in Liberty Fund's "The Collected Works of Arthur Seldon". It brings together six of Seldon's most pivotal essays that discuss his alternative proposals for paying for 'public' services rather than through coercive taxation. Specifically, Seldon focuses on the varied use of vouchers and the choices people have regarding purchasing or receiving such public services as health care and education. The recurring theme, as noted in Colin Robinson's introduction, is that "non-market provision, financed by taxpayers, leads to a fatal disconnection between suppliers and consumers". Throughout this book, Seldon examines the options and obligations of the government as the 'middle-man'. Seldon creates a compelling case that through a return to market principles, "efficiency in the provision of these services will improve, and, above all, people will regain the incentive to provide for themselves instead of relying on the state". This volume is an invaluable resource for those embroiled in the public debate over such issues as education vouchers, managed health care, and overwhelming taxation.

Volume 6 of "The Collected Works of Arthur Seldon" examines the failure of state-supported welfare programs to benefit the people most in need of help. The eight articles and one book in this volume encompass almost forty years of criticism of the welfare state. Seldon argues that the welfare state cannot, in the long run, solve the problem of poverty. It is driven by misguided egalitarian views which make it universalist, providing benefits for the middle classes as well as the poor. Because it finances welfare through taxation, it damages incentives to work. Moreover it diminishes motivations to save and to provide for one's family as the state appears to take over such responsibilities. Once "free" welfare services are begun they are very difficult to stop. But, says Seldon, permanent state welfare is unnecessary: as people's incomes rise, most are capable of providing for themselves and their families. In the end, people will revolt against inferior state services and the state will have to retreat.

Includes six works in which Arthur Seldon discusses the way ideas influence policy. He explains how he worked to bring about a revival of classical liberal ideas, in particular through the London-based Institute of Economic Affairs, which had remarkable success and on which many other think tanks around the world have been modelled.

These volumes span 65 years of Seldon's influential thought and elaborate on the genesis of almost all the public/private debates currently before the world. His arguments are as compelling and relevant today as they were over half a century ago. Each volume of this series has a contextual introduction and, except for Volume 3, an individual index. Volume 7 contains an index to the entire series. Volume 3 co-written with Fred G Pennance is an essential tool for anyone who wants a better understanding of political economics.

In this book, first published in 1961, under the general editorship of Arthur Seldon of the Institute of Economic Affairs, ten eminent writers, economists, philosophers, and a legal authority have set down their views on the principles and policies of a free society in a rapidly changing world. Each has developed his theme from the same material – Professor F. A. Hayek’s monumental work The Constitution of Liberty. This title will be of interest to students of history and economics.

In this book, first published in 1961, under the general editorship of Arthur Seldon of the Institute of Economic Affairs, ten eminent writers, economists, philosophers, and a legal authority have set down their views on the principles and policies of a free society in a rapidly changing world. Each has developed his theme from the same material – Professor F. A. Hayek’s monumental work The Constitution of Liberty. This title will be of interest to students of history and economics.