This remarkable book describes and analyses the plague of regulation affecting western liberal democracies – and includes essential recommendations for reform. It is a unique analysis of the political economy of lawmaking and is essential reading for both policymakers and the citizens who seek relief from the day-to-day impact of stupid rules.

- Robin Ellison, author of Red Tape: Managing Excess in Law, Regulation and the Courts,

The replacement of individual judgement and discretion with administrative rules, which is pervasive across business, government and academia, fosters a culture of compliance that diminishes innovation, freedom and trust. Hamilton-Hart deftly uses intuitive concepts from economics, jurisprudence and organizational theory to make a provocative argument for authority, understood as the prudent use of judgement in an environment of accountability.

- Mark D. White, author of Rights Versus Antitrust,