Rhetoric reaction: perversion, futility, danger. 2nd edition. Hirschman A.O.

The book of the outstanding economist and the historian of Albert O. Hirschman (1915-2012) is an attempt to mapping rhetoric, which was used by conservative politicians, economists and publicists-from Edmund Bern to Milton Friedman-to confront progressive programs and reforms over the past two centuries. Attracting many examples of reaction to the ideas of the Great French Revolution and the Declaration of Human Rights, Democratization and Consistent Movement to Universal Electoral Right in the 19th century and the state of universal welfare in the 20th century, the author identifies three main structural arguments of opponents of reforms.