First Published in 2000. Where a well-run society should rest on the continuum between public and private control has been the most contentious and thorny issue of legal and social theory throughout the generations. This series sets out to provide answers to this ongoing dispute contained in the five volumes of material assembled. The collection draws from many disciplines, including economics, law, philosophy and political science. Yet they are all directed to a topic that is worthy of examination from multiple perspectives: Liberty, Property and the Law.
Excerpt from Contracts and Combinations, in Restraint of Trade In limiting the freedom of individuals in the conduct of business, or the disposal of their labor or commodities, courts ought not, and customarily do not promulgate prohibitions based on any doubtful or speculative balance of what may be, from all points of view and upon elaborate investigations of fact, most expedient and desirable. They prohibit only when a distinctive act is presented which is certainly inimical to the public interest, or which may, on a balancing of the opposing considerations, be so regarded. Where there is doubt or mere speculation as to results the tendency is to permit freedom of economic action. Yet in determining whether the distinctive act is certainly inimical to the public interest the courts must deal with economic facts and principles - especially those which are regarded as fundamental and not subject to serious controversy. In this summary I have attempted to connect the prohibitions of the courts upon the freedom of economic action with the economic facts and principles upon which they rest. I have attempted in the text to balance economic considerations. In the notes are incorporated many quotations to indicate the economic facts and principles which the courts take cognizance of in reaching their conclusions. By this means I have sought not only to make an analysis of results but to illustrate a technique of reasoning. I am indebted to the Harvard Law School for the opportunity of giving a course upon the subject of this volume in the year 1916-17, and of submitting the present analysis of the cases to the criticism and scrutiny of a third year class. I acknowledge a very great indebtedness to Walter T. Fisher for many valuable criticisms and suggestions. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Our legal system is committed to the idea that private markets and the law of contracts that supports them are the primary institutions for allocating goods and services in a modern economy. Yet the market paradigm, this book argues, leaves substantial room for challenge. For example, should people be permitted to buy and sell blood, bodily organs, surrogate babies, or sexual favors? Is it fair to allow people with limited knowledge about a transaction and its consequences to enter into it without guidance from experts?
The impact of freedom of contract in the 19th century extended far beyond the legal arena as an economic slogan and an ethical attitude. Atiyah traces the development and subsequent decline of the freedom of contract, depicting its effects on the law's development and the foundation of contractual obligations, as well as its broader implications for 19th century English life.
This book argues for the absolutist position on the freedom of expression, and how this principle is integral for society. This title also explores some of the most common arguments regarding freedom of expression including pornography and banning advocacy of hateful creeds.
