"The Road to Serfdom"

The Value of value of human dignity in any society can never be emphasized enough, for this is recognized as a necessary condition for true advancement; and as such, every society must endeavor towards achieving this. We have seen in history how failing to observe this led many devastating outcomes. In his book "The Road to Serfdom," Hayek points out the value of limiting powers of the state, as past events such as the Nazi atrocities occurred only by the absence of this. Also, this helped in the rise of the totalitarian regime that almost wiped out an entire group of people. However, the most important thing to note is the significance of a strong constitution the absence of which can significantly blur the line between liberal regimes and a totalitarian tyranny.

Following their defeat in WWI, the Germans were already felt like they were a defeated people, along with that the man economic problems the people were facing, left them discouraged. Soon after, the leader of the Nazi party emerged as the leader that German’s believed would be able to lead them out of their desperate condition. As the leader and, head of the state, he had absolute power and served as the peoples moral guide. Having absolute power meant, that he could ultimately determine almost every aspect of the affairs of the state and on the lives of his people. All of these are conditions that can lead to totalitarianism as Hayek points out. From this absolute power, we see how individual liberty was gradually lost, along with the lives of many Jews.

The holocaust, where the Nazi regime organized a state-sponsored killing of Jews, who were considered to a threat to German progress; in addition, as a people were considered Inferior. Although, German’s found a...

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...amount of power, and the competitive system is the only system designed to minimize by decentralization the power exercised by man over man” (166).

Today, Americans can be sure that it is unlikely for an event as the holocaust to be possible in America today, considering the presence of a strong Constitution, which places a high value on individual liberty, property rights and economic freedom.

In conclusion, it is only when human dignity is valued and is present can true progress be made. Thus we must continually seek ways that intends to improve our lives and promote respect amongst all, regardless of our differences. However, all this can be lost if the rule of the superior law of the land is disregarded and the powers of authority fails to be limited. As long as man is man, self-interest will always exist, and man will always desire to possess more power.