Economics isn’t merely a dry, boring study of money. It is, boiled down to its essence, a study of human nature: how people interact and trade with each other. Since this obviously involves money, there is no shortage of people who want some of that money for themselves, when they haven’t earned it. And the chief ways in which they take that money are to confuse people and to establish governments.

At this time there are so many branches of economics and fields of study within the field that I couldn’t even summarize them all for you. But one thing most of them have in common is that they involve governments and are confusing. This is no accident.

That’s why it’s so important that people understand a few basic things. First, the law of supply and demand. You’ve certainly heard of it. It’s likely you even understand it. Second, that around this simple law is built most other economic theories and fields of study, and that if you are confused, it’s likely because someone is trying to separate you from your money without offering anything of value in return.

Of course, the only way that someone can get away with stealing your hard-earned money is by working for a government.

And that’s just one of many reasons why, in order to advance human civilization, it’s time to dispense with government entirely. This is the premise of The Market for Liberty.

The authors, Linda and Morris Tannehill, have recently granted permission for distribution of their book, originally published in 1970 and updated in 1984 and 1993, as a free audiobook in MP3 format. And Ian Bernard, host of the nationally syndicated radio show Free Talk Live, narrated the new audiobook.

There was once a time when it was widely believed the world was flat and the sun revolved around the earth. Now we know better and most reasonable people have rejected these ideas. Similarly, most people have rejected the once widely accepted idea of slavery, and rightfully so. If you’re like most people, your government high school history classes probably taught you that slavery was abolished years ago. Government people wouldn’t lie to you, would they?

The book you are about to listen to explodes the myths of government. Its message is simple:

“Government is an unnecessary evil and freedom is the best and most practical way of life.” Spread this idea, and we can change the world. That is why I’ve taken the time to create this audio book. These days, many people do not have time to read and it would be a shame to allow such a brilliant work to continue to gather dust on the shelves of history.

Morris and Linda Tannehill’s iconoclasticThe Market for Liberty is one of the most important books of our time. Written originally in 1970, it is even more relevant now as I record it as an audio book at the end of 2007.The Market for Liberty is the antidote to years of government indoctrination, lies, and misinformation.

Unless you already consider yourself a voluntaryist, anarcho-capitalist, or free marketeer, prepare yourself for a major paradigm shift. — The Market for Liberty, Audiobook edition, Introduction

I just finished listening to it, and I was blown away. Every conceivable objection I’ve ever heard to the idea of abolishing government is dealt with in an engaging, accessible manner, understandable to everyone — though it’s sure to bend the mind if it’s the first time you’ve heard the idea!

I recommend you listen to the audiobook and then buy a dead tree copy so you can stop and think on the frequently occurring shocking passages.

This book may well open your eyes to something I’ve known for quite a long time: government truly is an unnecessary evil, and like slavery, its time on the earth must come to an end if civilization is to advance.