"The typical state of mankind is tyranny, servitude, and misery" (C&F, at 9).

"Economic arrangements" and "political freedom" are interrelated. The latter is not possible without "economic freedom" (C&F, at 8).

"Competitive capitalism" separates powers into "economic power" and "political power." This separation "promotes political freedom" (C&F, at 9).

"Individual liberty" and "private property" are "inseparable" (LLL3, at 166, and associated notes at 203-204). "Liberty" and "responsibility" are also inseparable (COL, at 71).

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" (quote from Benjamin Franklin in RTS, at 147).

The protection of the individual's "privacy and secrets" by the government, which is "critical" to liberty, has so far been inappropriate (LLL3, at 63).

The market is not only indispensable to society, it is the only vehicle for coordinating human activities -- while promoting freedom. The other vehicle is "central direction" -- or "coercion" -- as practiced by armies or totalitarian states. (C&F, at 8-9.)

The "economic transaction" is the basic element for coordinating the exchange of goods and services between parties. In a free society, the transaction must be "bi-laterally voluntary and informed." In other words, it must be free and uncoerced. (C&F, at 13.)

The "market order" is a "wealth-creating game" -- a "game of catallaxy." In this "game," economic outcomes depend on "luck" and "skill" -- and not on "merit." Therefore, the game can be "felt to be unjust." (LLL2, at 115 and 120.)

The "market order" is a "spontaneous order" which allows individuals to coordinate their actions, and to use their "knowledge and skills" to increase their wealth (LLL2, at 107, 120, 124, and 126).

The "market mechanism" is the "most effective method for securing services that can be priced" (COL, at 125).

"Interference" in the market order is an "act of coercion"; it "can never be just" -- as it distorts the marketplace, and secures "privileges" and "benefits to some at the expense of others" (LLL2, at 128-129).

"Competitive capitalism" is a model of "social organization" where economic exchanges between parties are beneficial to both parties, voluntary, and uncoerced. "Competitive capitalism" is the name given to a "free private enterprise exchange economy." (C&F, at 13.)

Competition is the best arrangement for coordinating the economic activities of individuals. And the "price system" is the best system for conveying "information" (about values of goods and services and opportunities) to individuals, so they can adjust their "decisions" accordingly. (RTS, at 55-56.)

Money is an efficient "means" of exchange (C&F, at 14.)

Money is "one of the greatest instruments of freedom ever invented by man" (RTS, at 98-99).

Two kinds of harms must be distinguished: "Positive harms" (e.g., harms inflicted by coercing someone into signing a contract), and "neighborhood effects" (e.g., effects of pollution) (C&F, at 14).

"Coercion is evil" because it "eliminates an individual as a thinking and valuing person and makes him a bare tool in the achievement of the ends of another" (COL, at 21).

The "only way to prevent" coercion is "by the threat of coercion" (COL, at 21).

Law and order must be used to: "prevent physical coercion"; and to "enforce contracts" (C&F, at 14).

The "rules of the game" are maintained, interpreted, and enforced by the government (C&F, at 15 and 27).

The Rule of Law prevents the government from exercising arbitrary coercive or discriminatory powers against the individual. It allows individuals to determine, in advance, the "actions" of the state, and to "plan" accordingly (RTS, at 80-81, 89, and 92-93). The Rule of Law is a necessary, but not sufficient, "condition for the satisfactory working of a free economy" (COL, at 222).

The "rules of just conduct" serve to "prevent conflict." They act to eliminate "some sources of uncertainty," and, therefore, "facilitate co-operation" (LLL2, at 38).

In the market, only the "rules of conduct" can be "just" -- not the outcomes. The question whether the outcomes can be just or unjust is meaningless. (LLL2, at 70 and 122.)

Monopolies -- labor, private, or public -- reduce the options and alternatives available to consumers. Monopolies can seriously "interfere" with free exchange. (C&F, at 14, 28, and 36.)

The three major areas of monopoly are: "monopoly in industry"; "monopoly in labor"; and "government and government-supported monopoly" (C&F, at 121-128).

The three major sources of monopoly are: "'technical' considerations"; "government assistance"; and "private collusion" (C&F, at 128-132).

Monopolies have two powers: "power . . . over the prices" and "power to discriminate." Such powers, when used to "coerce" individuals or firms," to "restrict competition," or to "influence" the behavior of the market, are "harmful" (LLL3, at 84).

Monopolies can result from "collusive agreement" or from "deliberate policy" by the state (RTS, at 51-52).

"Government monetary monopoly" has been systematically "abused in order to defraud and deceive" the people (LLL3, at 57-58).

The only "social responsibility" of corporate capitalists is to maximize money for stockholders (C&F, at 133).

Economic control is a "path to totalitarianism" -- and to the "suppression of individual liberty" (RTS, at 101-102, and associated footnotes).

Socialists and communists (C&F, at 21).

Government mismanagement; flawed monetary and fiscal policies; wrong rules for maintaining the stability of prices. (C&F, at 37-55.)

In the long run, "expansionist" monetary policy destroys freedom. A monetary policy supporting "inflation" leads to greater "state control." The effects of inflation include  (COL, at 337-339):

• a weakening of old age security;
• decreases in savings; increases in debt;
• increases in the rich-poor gap;
• increases in social tensions;
• increased preoccupation with "immediate advantages";
• increases in "government control"; and, ultimately,
• decreases in freedom.

"Single-minded idealists" and "fanatics" (socialists and communists) bent on "planning" society (RTS, at 61-62).