Two Essays by Ludwig von Mises (Middle of the Road Leads to Socialism; Liberty and Property)

In "Liberty and Property," Mises demonstrates how poverty, starvation, disease, and serfdom dominated the pre-capitalist ages, and how the market brought liberation for the masses of men. Socialism, in contrast, embodies hatred for liberty and prosperity.

In "Middle-of-the-Road Policy," Mises lays out his theory that interventionism breeds on itself: one bad policy leads to another unless laissez-faire is restored and adhered to over time. Also contains an excellent forward by Thomas DiLorenzo.