Friedrich Hayek-s 1944 Road to Serfdom is a classic of conservative economic argument. While undeniably a product of a specific time in global politics - which saw the threat of fascism from Nazi Germany and its allies beguilingly answered by the promises of socialism - Hayek-s carefully constructed argument is a fine example of the importance of good reasoning in critical thinking.
Reasoning is the art of constructing good, persuasive arguments by organizing one-s thoughts, supporting one-s conclusions, and considering counter-arguments along the way. The Road to Serfdom illustrates all these skills in action; Hayek-s argument was that, while many assumed socialism to be the answer to totalitarian, fascist regimes, the opposite was true. Socialist government-s reliance on a large state, centralised control, and bureaucratic planning - he insisted - actually amounts to a different kind of totalitarianism.
Freedom of choice, Hayek continued, is a centra
