Frédéric Bastiat’s Campaign Manifesto of 1846

June 30 is Frederic Bastiat's birthday. For those who love liberty, it is a day to celebrate his masterpieces. But even his fans sometimes forget that he ran for, and held, political office. That is unfortunate, given that what a principled libertarian politician stood for is very instructive.

That is why it is worth using Bastiat's birthday to consider his election manifesto of 1846, his first try for office (which he lost).