As a Europe grew rich in the Middle Ages, the well-made clothes, linens, and wares of households often substituted for hard currency. Pawnbrokers kept goods in circulation, and sergeants of the law marched into debtors’ homes to seize belongings equal in value to debts owed. David Smail describes a material world on the cusp of modern capitalism.

Plunder examines the dark side of the Rule of Law and explores how it has been used as a powerful political weapon by Western countries in order to legitimize plunder – the practice of violent extraction by stronger political actors victimizing weaker ones. Challenges traditionally held beliefs in the sanctity of the Rule of Law by exposing its dark side Examines the Rule of Law's relationship with 'plunder' – the practice of violent extraction by stronger political actors victimizing weaker ones – in the service of Western cultural and economic domination Provides global examples of plunder: of oil in Iraq; of ideas in the form of Western patents and intellectual property rights imposed on weaker peoples; and of liberty in the United States Dares to ask the paradoxical question – is the Rule of Law itself illegal?

First published in 1850 as a pamphlet, The Law by Frederic Bastiat defines the nature of law and the role of government. It is essential reading for law students and anyone interested in jurisprudence.

Bastiat's The Law is the classic work which defines the right and just system of laws for a free people, and demonstrates how such laws facilitate a free society.

"The Law" by Frédéric Bastiat is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the fundamental principles and intricacies of the law. Bastiat's work takes readers on a journey into the philosophical and ethical underpinnings of legal systems, shedding light on how laws impact societies and individuals. With clarity and precision, he delves into the role of the law in maintaining order, protecting individual rights, and the potential pitfalls of overreaching legislation. Bastiat's work continues to be relevant and influential, offering readers a timeless perspective on the principles that underlie the concept of justice and the law's crucial role in shaping civilizations. Whether you're a student of political philosophy, law, or simply interested in the foundations of a just society, "The Law" provides valuable insights and remains a significant work in the realm of legal and political literature.