ABSTRACT

A pragmatic liberal philosophy is evident in Simons’s work, within an epoch when support for those who would defend free market economics was less than fulsome. Simons feared that a ‘ruthless dictatorship’ might prove the only means to maintain order between uncompetitive organisations. There are direct comparisons with the writing of Friedrich Hayek. Although the failed attempts to persuade Simons to review Hayek’s Road to Serfdom is puzzling, Simons was instrumental in turning a proposal, for Hayek to write a US version of that book into that for the formation of an institute to propagate free market ideas. It is understandable how many are disturbed that Simons embraces liberal principles as he argues for progressive taxation. In holding resolutely to the objective of reducing income inequality, Simons insists that taxation is preferable to an array of restraints upon free trade and that consensus must first exist.