A serious confusion exists over government's proper role in society. Whatever is considered important has been presumed to be a "public" or government concern. But, what are the proper limits to this "public" sphere? Should government be limited to protecting individual rights, including the right to private property, under a Rule of Law applied uniformly throughout society?

Many sincere and intelligent people answer in the negative and propose a broad scope for government, including the regulation of advertising, firearms ownership, drug use, teenage pregnancy, environment, health care, tobacco and alcohol consumption, AIDS research, employment, education, etc.

Private Rights and Public Illusions reveals that few problems concern most members of society in any uniform way, and contrary to conventional belief, both "public" and "private" realms are driven by the self-interests of those involved. Social problems have not only persisted despite massive government programs; such bureaucracies have produced even greater problems, undercut the private solutions of civil society, and given license to some individuals to misuse power over others.

The erroneous conception of "public" affairs forms the basis for the intrusiveness of government into the peaceful lives of people. Private Rights and Public Illusions clearly charts what the "public" realms should be, not only to redefine government's proper purview and distinguish it from the private realm, but to protect the productivity, spontaneity, and civility uniquely present in private human life.