The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity Through the Ages

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The phenomenal success of Western civilization and the remarkable economic expansion fueled by modern capitalism, says Tom Bethell, depend chiefly on the institution of private property and the development of secure property rights, yet this simple, striking idea is misunderstood by elite opinion leaders in the United States and around the world. Bethell, a reporter for the American Spectator, offers a history of property as an idea and a reality around the world. His sweeping narrative will appeal to fans of David Landes's The Wealth and Poverty of Nations and Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel. Yet, in many crucial respects, The Noblest Triumph (the title comes from British philosopher Jeremy Bentham's line that property laws represent "the noblest triumph of humanity over itself") is better than both, displaying a keener understanding of human nature and of how incentives shape behavior. In a chapter sure to inspire controversy, Bethell argues that the Irish potato famines of the 1840s were due primarily to Ireland's lack of stable property rights in the 19th century. Full of astute observations and written with real clarity, The Noblest Triumph makes a unique and welcome contribution to the debate over why some countries thrive while others languish. --John J. Miller

Book Description

In The Noblest Triumph, Tom Bethell looks at the history of property rights and shows that the key role played by the institution of private property has been misunderstood by Western elites for more than a century. Beginning with the ancient Greeks and arriving at the present day, Bethell looks at basic ideas about property found in the writings of Plato, Adam Smith, Blackstone, Bentham, Marx, Mill, and others. He shows that the institution of property is inextricably tied to traditional conceptions of justice and liberty, and he argues that prosperity and civilization can only arise where private property is securely held by the people. The Noblest Triumph is an indispensable book for anyone interested in this fundamental aspect of civilization and the progress of humankind through the ages.

Customer Reviews:

Tom Bethell Explains it All--Why Good Law Leads to Prosperity.......2006-08-14

The Noblest Triumph is one of the most illuminating and important books I have ever read. That may sound like an overstatement, but I don't think so. This book shows why a system of property law that is predictable, secure, transparent and protects the little guy's property as well as the rich guy's is a prerequisite for a prosperous society.

Tom Bethell analyzes history, and factually supports his thesis that good property rights and good law are the necessary foundation for prosperity in a society. He shows how the lack of good law leads to poverty and how the presence of good law leads to prosperity.

The book abounds with supporting facts and examples. The research is amazingly extensive and excellent. I found the book fascinating as all kinds of things I had wondered about for years became clear. It is like watching rugby, or some other game you don't know about, and feeling confused, and then watching it with someone who explains the rules of the game--suddenly you know what to look for, and it all starts to make sense. Bethell shows how many seemingly minor facets of life are attributable to the workings of property-law in a society--for example, how long-term insecurity about law leads people in some parts of the world to build their homes with backs to the street and enclosed courtyards, like little fortresses.

Bethell shows that when you are wondering how a nation becomes prosperous, one essential question is--do the people in that nation feel secure owning their property? If yes, they naturally work hard to own and enjoy property and they beqeath it to their children--things we take for granted in the United States. (Until the outrageous U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo, which, in my opinion, should be overturned.)

This book made it crystal clear why a dictatorship, whatever its ideology, will always lead to poverty for its people. Arbitrary decision-making by people in power, including the arbitrary taking of people's property, shuts down the natural desire of the people to work and earn and build, maybe even employ others. Prosperity doesn't have a chance to get started. The uncertainty of whether someone can unlawfully, arbitrarily come and take what you have worked for makes it too risky to build wealth. You don't want to be noticed; you don't want to be a target. You conceal your wealth. You keep it portable. People hunker down. Their behavior is perfectly rational. It's a game that's too dangerous to play.

The book makes it clear why Mexico, for example, with natural harbors, fertile soil, abundant natural resources and capable people, struggles with widespread poverty---it is because the Mexican government and Mexican laws do not protect the little guy's property rights, and many Mexican officials practice corruption. So in Mexico, little guys do not--cannot--build weath. In addition, international investors tend not to want to invest in Mexico for the same reasons. Whereas Australia, for example, with arguably a harsher climate, and farther to travel for international commerce, is prosperous. Australia has secure property-rights laws.

The book shows that many of the countries with secure property-rights laws have based their laws on those hammered out in England over many centuries. For example, Singapore. Secure property rights support prosperity in any country, no matter where in the world they are in place.

I gave a copy of this book to my son, who has a degree in economics. He loved it. He said it was an amazing, eye-opening book.

This is only the second review I have ever written--this book is so excellent that I really wanted to review it. The more of us who understand the principles Tom Bethell has written about in this book, the better we will be as a nation and as a member of the international community on our planet, and the more prosperity there will be for everyone. I want to thank Tom Bethell for his excellent work.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Noblest Triumph. My opinion is, buy it, read it. It will enlighten your comprehension and give you pleasure. Enjoy!

Useful defense of property........2006-01-15

Nothing demonstrates the ignorance of the last generation of legal theorists about property than the Supreme Court decision of Kelo v. New London. That this decision could have been made after publication of Bethell's Noblest Triumph is surprising. Bethell does an outstanding job of explaining the history and theories of property in a very readable manner, even though his book is worthy of being required reading for college courses. To avoid the horrible results that Justice O'Conner correctly foresees from Kelo, this book should be required reading for all college students through summer reading programs, if colleges still have such programs.

Private Property Laws are the Basis for Prosperity.......2004-10-02

Why, over the past few hundred years has the west done so much better than the rest? Why have some countries become modern while others lag behind, with only a few wealthy citizens and the largest part of the society mired in poverty? In his book "The Noblest Triumph" Tom Bethell argues that the incredible success of modern market capitalism rests upon the west's strong commitment to the institution of private property and the legal guarantees that make them secure. While he doesn't argue that this is the sole factor but he argues that it is a vital one as human nature dictates that people are more productive if their labor will reward them personally. We live in an ownership society and when a body of law backs the claim that the vast majority of citizens hold on their businesses and homes it gives The United States a stability that other societies lack. Bethell compares the strong property rights found in the western nations with the weakness of such rights in other lands. He makes a strong case for laws insuring property rights by showing that a lack of legal guarantees prevents foreign investment as investors fear having their investment seized at the capricious whim of a new leader or the nationalization of their assets. These sorts of occurrences which are so common in the third world,l retard foreign investment for decades. So, the vast amount of foreign capital invested here in the United States is a tribute to our rule of law.
Bethell's thesis is supported by the recent scholarship of Alvaro Vargas Llosa in his Mystery of Capital who maintains that there is indeed capital to be invested in many third world countries, but that it sits on the sidelines because of a lack of legal guarantees and the financial infrastructure that fosters safe and productive investment. The author argues that third world nations would be much better off creating an umbrella of property rights for landowners, homeowners and businessmen, insuring inside investment and rewarding their country with both stability and long term growth.
Bethell buttresses his case with examples drawn from the United States and a wide range of other nations and cultures. He looks at early American colonies, which attempted communal ownership, Robert Owen's experiment in property less society in New Harmony, Indiana and of course, the long, brutal Soviet experiment. He contrasts these examples with China, which while still authoritarian has put in place legal guarantees and encouraged foreign investment creating a new "ownership society" and a fast-growing economy, lifting millions out of poverty for the first time.
Bethell's work is wide-ranging, divided into a series of chapter essays where he examines failures and successes as well as the abstract philosophical arguments of Plato, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Ricardo, Engels, Marx and Keynes. Bethell supports his thesis - that economic prosperity depends on private property guarantees - well and has marshaled a wide range of examples in his concise and well-written tome. His case is logical as when all the citizens of a nation are subject to the same body of law, not the capriciousness of a ruler, an economy can prosper.

Good companion book.......2004-08-24

This book focuses on the issue of Private Property, a concept that rarely recieves attention, even in pro-capitalist literature. That is the book's strength, a solid summary on the negatives of public ownership and the liberty that flows from private property. "Where private property is nonexistent, selfishness has free reign."

If there is a negative, it is that the book jumps around a bit. There are other books that I think do as good of a job (if not better stylistically) of addressing the failures of socialism (Re: Heaven on Earth by Muravchik) and there are other books that provide a positive prescription for world poverty via private property (Mystery of Capital by DeSoto). This book straddles those two, overlaps them, and thus is a fine companion piece.

Silent about original aquisition!.......2003-12-30

Silent about original acquisition!
This book, which purports to be about property rights, is strangely silent about the concept of original acquisition. That is, the right to property is based by the method by which it was originally received. A simple example, if the property was stolen or it the original deed is false then the property is rightly not yours.
John Locke had something to say about this but that was a long time ago.
But in this book, the author is silent. And for good reason, for if he did discuss it, the topic would be embarrassing for North Americans for they would have to transfer land back to those they had stolen it from - i.e. the Native Americans.
In total, while I can agree the owning property is a good thing, it is only good when it has been acquired by the proper methods. But in North America it was stolen.
One star for dishonestly.

The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity Through the Ages

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The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity Through the Ages
Tom Bethell
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTJD5A

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The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity Through the Ages
Tom Bethell
Manufacturer: New York: St. Martin's Press,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVC5WQ

The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity through the Ages.(Review): An article from: Independent Review

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The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity through the Ages.(Review): An article from: Independent Review
T. Norman Van Cott
Manufacturer: Independent Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Independent Review, published by Independent Institute on March 22, 1999. The length of the article is 1194 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity through the Ages.(Review)
Author: T. Norman Van Cott
Publication: Independent Review (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 1999
Publisher: Independent Institute
Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Page: 617(1)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity Through the Ages.(Review): An article from: Journal of Economic Issues

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The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity Through the Ages.(Review): An article from: Journal of Economic Issues
Warren J. Samuel
Manufacturer: Association for Evolutionary Economics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00098O2OS
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Economic Issues, published by Association for Evolutionary Economics on March 1, 1999. The length of the article is 2524 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity Through the Ages.(Review)
Author: Warren J. Samuel
Publication: Journal of Economic Issues (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 1999
Publisher: Association for Evolutionary Economics
Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Page: 183(6)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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THE NOBLEST TRIUMPH. Property and Prosperity through the Ages.
Tom: Bethell
Manufacturer: Pan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000W33U5W

Book Description

A practical, readable guide to delivering superior presentations

Speakers bear the responsibility for communicating effectively with their audience: presenting a clear message, supporting it with well-structured explanations and examples, and delivering it with ease, grace, and good visuals. Unfortunately, this rarely happens, as anyone who has endured a substandard presentation knows only too well. The key for developing sound presentation skills need not, however, remain hidden. The Short Road to Great Presentations demystifies the art of public speaking as it shows you how to master the critical principles to make this skill an invaluable asset of your life and career.

Drawing on twenty years of experience in helping engineers, scientists, and business people develop powerful communication skills, PERC Communications founders Peter and Cheryl Reimold present an easy-to-follow program for crafting winning presentations. They focus on two principles: 1) find a message that is clearly meaningful and accessible to your audience, and 2) connect strongly with your audience throughout your presentation. In applying these principles to a series of step-by-step preparations and on-stage actions, the authors help speakers focus on their most vital content, strengthen their structure and delivery, andâperhaps, most importantâeliminate stress and aggravation. Chapter topics in this reader-friendly guide include:

Structuring your message for maximum effect

Preparing effective visuals

Understanding and using body language and eye contact

Handling tough questions and surprises

Making smart use of slide shows and presentation software

Conducting Web presentations and Web meetings

Timeless speaking tips are combined with up-to-date primers on the latest technology throughout. The Short Road to Great Presentations is a one-stop resource for learning and practicing superior professional communication.

An Instructor Support FTP site is available from the Wiley editorial department: ftp://ftp.ieee.org/uploads/press/reimold

Customer Reviews:

This is a COMPLETE guide to effective public speaking.......2003-08-09

From preparation to final delivery, from overcoming stage fright to managing Power Point, this wonderfully engaging and easy-to-read book takes you through every aspect of giving a presentation -- and makes it easy! By the time I had finished it, I felt able to give just about any presentation to any size or type of group. I went out and did it, using the Reimolds' methods, and it worked. I got my message across, and I think I did it persuasively. Anyone who has to give a presentation must take "The Short Road" to success.

Average customer rating:

Partially Good Book

Easy-to-Read and Extremely Informative

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very good

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Heads in Beds: Hospitality and Tourism Marketing
Ivo Raza
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Easy-to-Read and Extremely Informative.......2006-04-24

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Heads in Beds : Hospitality and Tourism Marketing

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Heads in Beds : Hospitality and Tourism Marketing
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Self-Talk And Grow Rich is a powerful faith-building, destiny-changing Bible-based book.It is both inspirational and informative, and it prescribes a revolutionary concept of using systematic managed Self-Talk and Biblical precepts to bring about wealth and riches.

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Self-Talk And Grow inspires, exhorts and challenges the reader to partake in the prescribed techniques to help eliminate the " wealth divide " between the Body of Christ and the unsaved rich. And it provides easy-to-understand instructions on how to participate in the end-times transfer of wealth.

Customer Reviews:

Self-Talk and Grow Rich Review.......2003-10-02

I recently read the book entitled "Self-Talk and Grow Rich and was impressed to find out that this book is not just another one of the "get rich schemes", but a book that adheres to the biblical principles for financial wealth.

"Self-Talk and Grow Rich" gives the principles, keys, steps and purposes for individuals who are struggling financially. The book also provides scriptures which supports the confessing of God's word on a daily basis to produce supernatural abundance.

The is also a guide for peope who need help with anxiety, anger, sickness, low self esteem and fear. The book gives biblical instructions on how to use self-talk in any of these areas.

"Self-Talk and Grow Rich" explains how we need to change our attitude towards money and prosperity. The book uses various scriptures to prove that God wants us to be healthy and prosperous and to be a blessing to His kingdom.

I was greatly inspired by the author's personal testimony of how he received a supernatural blessing during financial challenge. He writes how after he daily made faith confessions, and put himself into position to receive, his debt was wiped out.

I highly recommend the book for individuals who are ready to experience financial wealth, health and peace of mind.

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Leveraged to the Hilt - My Review

This book is for you if. . .

Don't Leave Home Without It! Indispensible & Practical

Leveraged to the Hilt?: Personal Finance with Professor Bill with CDROM
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Customer Reviews:

A Must Read for All Adults in Debt.......2004-03-09

If you are an adult in debt, you must read this book. Professor Keating offers implicit instructions on how to fix and mange your debt. Leveraged to the Hilt is easy to read and simple to follow. Professor Keating guides you through your personal finance decisions regarding which bills to pay off more quickly in accordance to the amount of debt and the interest rate you owe as well as how to reduce your payments and acquire lower interest rates on your debts. He explains the time value of money like no other. This book is full of honest, straight forward advice from a master of financial management. It offers the wisdom and expertise of a Wall Street guru through the voice of your dad.

Great Personal Finance Information.......2004-02-23

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Leveraged to the Hilt - My Review.......2004-01-03

I thought this book was a great way to start the new year. The software gave me a plan to eliminate my debt. I found the book easy to read and even with my hectic schedule finished it in two days. I found the tips that were given in the book to be helpful. I enjoyed the quotes. The book was realistic and didn't offer a quick fix but a steady decrease over time. It gave tips for you not to fall into heavy debt again by focusing on the total payback of items you put on credit. The software was an added plus. It allowed us to get the big picture of our finances. I will recommend this book to friends and relatives.

This book is for you if. . ........2004-01-01

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Don't Leave Home Without It! Indispensible & Practical.......2003-12-03

Americans spend so much time analyzing the stock market, (basically a gamble) and so little time freeing up cash they use to pay debts, leaving their disposable income vulnerable to the vultures and little for investing. STOP RIGHT NOW, I can't say enough about this book---start getting rid of credit cards easily, reduce payments and overall interest rates, without calling those phoney 1-800 debt consolidation numbers. Don't be intimidated by banks, Professor Keating has written a very practical, honest, concise book even an amateur can read. Too many books skip around practical 'how tos' or use fancy terms, making promises to improve your financial health---this book DELIVERS! The easy to read book even comes with a CD-ROM so the reader can immediately implement its advice and I can guarantee that reading this will put you in better shape financially. There are no scams or wierd loop-holes, just solid trusted common sense wisdom from an expert in personal financial management. Skip the pricey financial consultants and buy this book; as they say 'don't leave home without it'!

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