If you have not read Hayek's
The Road to Serfdom (mentioned in the article), I highly recommend it.
That and Paul Johnson's
Modern Times.
Shows how lack of political and economic freedom are sure recipes for disaster.
read "serfdom" ages ago... to my shame have not yet read "modern times"
didn't this article remind you of the dialectics and debating style of a certain SJ of fond mutual memory?