…when it is generalized, protectionism becomes communism, just as carp fry become adult carp…

Frédéric Bastiat
Part 1 of 7
Pamphlets

This pamphlet is an open letter to Adolphe Thiers who just published his book about private property (De La Propriété, 1848). As an introduction, Frédéric Bastiat announces what thesis he is going to develop, namely that protectionism is a Trojan horse of communism.

A strong idea in this introduction is that a lot of people do not realise their own inconsistencies and find themselves as advocates of communism against their own judgement by the simple fact that they are advocating a position that is similar to communism. Thus, Adolphe Thiers explains in his book how important private property although he is advocating protectionist policies at the same time, which negate private property.

This type of phenomenon is still very much alive nowadays, when one can observe politicians who sincerely want to help the poor and adopt policies that are detrimental to the poor.

Update on June 18th, 2025. I have just finished reading the book De La Propriété by Adolphe Thiers and indeed I understand why Frédéric Bastiat attempted to convince him of his error towards protectonism. Adolphe Thiers was truly liberal (I would struggle to find a politician with such strong convictions and understanding today) and his support to the protectionnists is incomprehensible. I suppose that he had not grasped the difference between fiscal and protectionist tariffs while trying to finance the Treasury in the least painful way. Interestingly, my conclusion from April 26th, 2021 was a bit out of plae because Adolphe Thiers warns us in his book against politicians “who sincerely want to help the poor and adopt policies that are detrimental to the poor”.

Other quotes from Baccalaureate and Socialism:
Part 1 of 7 – Part 2 of 7 – Part 3 of 7 – Part 4 of 7 – Part 5 of 7 – Part 6 of 7 – Part 7 of 7