The Tyranny of Good Intentions by Paul Craig Roberts & Lawrence M. Stratton Summary
Overview of The Tyranny of Good Intentions
A chilling expose of American justice gone wrong. Nobel economist Milton Friedman called it "a devastating indictment" of a system where prosecutors trample constitutional rights. Both Alan Dershowitz and Harvey Silverglate agree - its warnings about eroding civil liberties proved prophetic after 9/11.
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Key takeaways
When the Scales Tip: How Justice Turned Against the Innocent
What if the very system designed to protect you became your greatest threat? A federal agent appears at your door, seizes your home, drains your bank account, and charges you with crimes that didn't exist when you supposedly committed them. No evidence required. No chance to defend yourself. This isn't some dystopian fantasy-it's happening across America right now, to ordinary people whose only crime was trusting that law would shield them from tyranny rather than become its instrument. We imprison more of our own citizens than any nation on Earth. Northwestern University researchers discovered that innocent defendants now face a 25-37% chance of wrongful conviction, while the guilty have only a 10-13% chance of acquittal. Something has gone profoundly wrong with American justice, and understanding how we lost our legal protections has never been more urgent. The Rights of Englishmen represent humanity's greatest achievement against arbitrary power-a set of principles that protect everyone equally, regardless of wealth or status. These protections emerged from centuries of struggle, codified by King Alfred in the ninth century, enshrined in the Magna Carta, and secured through the Glorious Revolution. Each generation fought to preserve essential safeguards: no crime without intent, certainty in law, prohibition of retroactive punishment, warrant requirements, protection against self-incrimination, due process, and habeas corpus. American colonists didn't reject English law when they declared independence-they asserted their rights as Englishmen against King George III's violations. But this precious inheritance now faces extinction.
The Battle for Law's Soul: When Philosophy Became Tyranny
Accidents Become Crimes: The Death of Intent and Rise of Retroactive Law
The Modern Inquisition: Plea Bargaining's Reign of Terror
When Law Becomes Plunder: Asset Forfeiture's Highway Robbery
The Erosion of Attorney-Client Privilege and Due Process
Reclaiming the Shield: Why Liberty's Battle Is Yours
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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