Frank Chodorov

Frank Chodorov (1887-1966) was an American writer, journalist, and influential libertarian thinker who championed individualism and free market economics. He served as editor of several publications including analysis and The Freeman, while authoring numerous books on political philosophy and economics. Chodorov is particularly known for his strong opposition to the income tax and the New Deal, believing both represented dangerous expansion of state power at the expense of individual liberty. His 1954 book "The Income Tax: Root of All Evil" became one of his most widely-read works and influenced future libertarian thought on taxation. Through his writings and editorial work, Chodorov helped develop and spread the ideas of what became known as "Old Right" conservatism, emphasizing free markets, anti-imperialism, and strict limitations on government power. His influence extended to major conservative and libertarian figures including Murray Rothbard and William F. Buckley Jr. His other significant works include "One Is A Crowd" (1952) and "The Rise and Fall of Society" (1959), both of which explored themes of individualism versus collectivism and the relationship between the individual and the state.

Readers consistently highlight Chodorov's clear writing style and ability to distill complex economic concepts into accessible arguments. Many note his influence on their philosophical development, particularly regarding taxation and individual rights. What readers liked: - Direct, conversational prose that explains libertarian ideas without academic jargon - Logical progression of arguments about state power and individual liberty - Historical examples that support his positions - Enduring relevance of his tax criticism What readers disliked: - Some find his tone overly polemical - Limited citation of sources - Repetitive themes across different works - Dated cultural references Ratings averages: Goodreads: "The Income Tax: Root of All Evil" - 4.2/5 (127 ratings) "The Rise and Fall of Society" - 4.3/5 (89 ratings) "One Is A Crowd" - 4.1/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: "The Income Tax: Root of All Evil" - 4.5/5 (84 reviews) "The Rise and Fall of Society" - 4.4/5 (31 reviews)

The Rise and Fall of Society (1959) An examination of how societies develop, flourish, and decline, with emphasis on the role of state power and economic intervention.

One Is A Crowd (1952) A collection of essays exploring individualist themes and criticizing collectivist ideologies and state centralization.

The Income Tax: Root of All Evil (1954) A critique of the American income tax system and its effects on individual liberty and economic freedom.

Out of Step: The Autobiography of an Individualist (1962) Chodorov's personal memoir detailing his intellectual journey and development of his individualist philosophy.

The Economics of Society, Government and State (1946) An analysis of economic principles and their relationship to governmental institutions and social organization.

From Solomon's Yoke to the Income Tax (1947) A historical examination of taxation systems and their impact on societies throughout different eras.

Fugitive Essays (1980) A posthumously published collection of Chodorov's various writings on liberty, economics, and political philosophy.

The Myth of the Post Office (1957) A critical analysis of government postal monopolies and arguments for market alternatives.

Source of Rights (1954) An exploration of natural rights theory and its philosophical foundations.

Albert Jay Nock wrote on individualism, state power, and educational decline from a similar philosophical perspective as Chodorov. Chodorov considered Nock his intellectual mentor and expanded on many of his key ideas about state intervention and personal liberty.

Murray Rothbard developed Austrian economics perspectives and critiques of state power that aligned with Chodorov's views. He wrote extensively on free market principles and criticized government intervention in ways that paralleled Chodorov's economic analysis.

Henry Hazlitt focused on economic literacy and free market principles through his journalism and books. His work shared Chodorov's emphasis on teaching economic concepts to the public and defending markets against government control.

Isabel Paterson wrote about individualism and criticized collectivist trends in society and government. Her book The God of the Machine explored themes of personal liberty and limited government that complemented Chodorov's writing.

Rose Wilder Lane emphasized self-reliance and opposed state intervention in economic and personal affairs. Her work The Discovery of Freedom covered historical and philosophical ground similar to Chodorov's writings on liberty and government power.