"I am certain that nothing has done so much
to destroy the juridical safeguards of individual freedom
as the striving after this mirage of social justice."
by:
Friedrich August von Hayek
(1899-1992), Nobel Laureate of Economic Sciences 1974
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Reader comments about this quote:
Right wing bastard! There is no reason at all that striving for social justice should equal diminishing individual freedom. The one isn't inversely proportional to the other! In fact they are equivalents - social justice and individual freedom are one and the same thing in the end. This guy should have his Nobel revoked! Just another right winger who thinks that societies purpose is to enrich and empower those few already rich and powerfull at the expense of all the rest.
 -- Simon, Deep cover, BC, Canada     
  • 13
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    Simon said it for all. Von Hayek would have loved George Bush.
     -- Dick Trice, Fort Worth     
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    It always amazes me how socialists defend their oppression while espousing the very policies and systems that create the elitist class they so adamantly despise. Simon & Dick, wake up.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    I don't like Bush, but social "justice" is the opposite of freedom.
     -- Yndrd1984, Ames, IA     
  • 7
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    Social justice is simply a euphemism for theft. Also, Hayek was a libertarian, he would dislike George Bush just as much as any leftist claims to.
     -- Devon, Edmonton, AB     
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    Simon you're as deluded about "social justice" as the right winger evangelist-nuts are about "divine justice," neither of you understand what liberty is predicated on. May Bush and Clinton burn in hell together.
     -- Anonymous     
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    "Social justice" is the cry of the incompetent and the lazy, and music to the ears of those who strive to rule all others.
     -- Tom Osborne, Los Angeles, CA     
  • 4
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    Those supporting the slavery of collectivism, democracy, socialism (both Lenin and Hitler types), etc have a far different meaning for social justice than those responsible individuals that love freedom, liberty, law and justice for each and every, any and all.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Social justice is a nice sounding term for totalitarian social oppression. Economic justice is another misnomer. Both in reality have the exact opposite meaning as to what they sound like.
     -- warren, olathe     
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     -- Anonymous, Reston, VA, US      
     -- Susan, Murfreesboro, TN      
    Social justice is the taking from Peter to pay Paul unjustice!
     -- cal, lewisville     
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    Thanks Simon - you said it for me - Social Justice has been bastardized by the media and those who do not understand what the two words TRULY mean - this will be interesting - Simon, watch out for the broadsides
     -- RBESRQ     
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    Social Justice is anything but! It's the vehicle through which our rights, our freedom and our money are stolen. I do believe in "Justice"... but we can leave the word "social(ist)" out of it.
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
  • 5
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    Great job Simon. I am with the thumbs down guys on this one. Obvioualy individual(s) freedom or the greatest freedom for the largest number of individuals is enhanced by social justice. The greatest amount of freedom for a given individual who can finagle a way to use others is enhanced by a lack of social justice.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
  • 4
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    "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." One must wonder why whenever someone takes actions to fulfill this ideal envisioned in the U.S. constitution, it is labeled as "evil', stealing individual rights. Social justice is nothing more and nothing less than small steps in living up to the ideal that our founding fathers themselves never achieved.
     -- Wildnerness Voice, Renton, Washington     
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     -- GG      
    The term "social justice" had to be invented because so often its goals are not the same as, and often conflict with, the goals of regular justice.
     -- Jerome, Coarsegold     
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     -- anon, MO      
    "Social Justice" was the kool-aide of Rev. Jim Jones in Jonestown Guyana.
     -- D. Mercer, Farmington     
  • 2
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    What is social justice ? I know what justice means to the individual; BUT, what is social justice ? ? ? Who is this Mr./Ms. social, that I might subpoena him/her. If this "social" justice is anything but justice to each and every, any and all individual(s) (individually and in concert) it is an heinous injustice. Mr. half to no truth Waffler, WHAT ? ? ? freedom for the largest number ? ? ? It is freedom for all or, it is injustice ! ! !
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Obviously Simon, Dick, RBESRQ and Waffler are hate mongers. As so many individuals who lack an education but want a hand out are. Mob rule is their social justice.
    God-given Constitutionally secured rights are for natural free born sovereign individual citizens, that shall not be infringed upon without grave retaliation. They sound like helpers with no skill, don't want to go to school and would rather steal than earn or educate themselves to become independents worthy of respect. They shall be judged by every word that comes out of their mouth ! Love thy neighbor is not in their heart but to plunder and steal from their neighbor. Moral fiber is greatly lacking in their character. They have inundated our branches
    of government to the point of gross negligence and should be removed by force if needed. Needy people not wanting to work fall prey to the use of tyrannical leaders choosing rather to plunder than educate and set free. Thinking themselves to be something when they are nothing they deceive themselves.
    Puffed up in their own fleshly minds.

     -- watchman 13, USA     
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    Social Justice represents having a despotic government or entity take and plunder the fruits of someones labor without any form of consent or permission from the owner to give it to another.
    That is not in any way, shape or form charity from consent.
    That is exactly what Frederic Bastiat called "Legalized Plunder."

    Simon, Dick, RBESRQ and Waffler are supporters of Legalized Plunder and therefore would have been great allies of the Communist Karl Marx.
     -- Mary - MI     
  • 3
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    All those reactions prove my joy in this site: even the truth can be misunderstood.
     -- Bobble, No. Ferrisburgh, VT     
  • 1
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     -- jim k, Austin      
    If we desire social justice, should we not grant the individual of reason his due acknowledgement?
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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    If you desire social justice, you need to acknowledge your need for psychiatric treatments. The individual of reason acknowledges justice is an individual domain of action.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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