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Liberator Online, Volume 5, Number 07
April 11, 2000
THE LIBERATOR ONLINE
April 11, 2000
Vol. 5, No. 7
Circulation: 37,296 in 91 countries
Mailing list of the Advocates for Self-Government.
Created and edited by Paul Schmidt, mailto:paul@self-gov.org
Co-edited by James W. Harris, mailto:james@self-gov.org
If you wish to subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your
address for
receiving the Liberator OnLine, visit:
http://www.self-gov.org/liberator/maintain.html
The Advocates for Self-Government is a non-profit
educational
organization. Our purpose is to present the freedom philosophy
honestly and persuasively to opinion-makers so that they can
encounter, evaluate, and when ready, embrace the ideals of
self-government.
Contributions are tax deductible under Section 501(c)(3)
of the IRS
code. If you would like to support the Advocates, we *welcome* your
donation. To support the Advocates' work, see
http://www.self-gov.org/donate.html -- or give us a call at
1-800-932-1776.
_________________________________________________________________
"The Advocates is a great organization which I highly
recommend...
Along with the LP, you're reaching people one-on-one better than
anyone else. You're tilling the soil, sowing the seeds that other
organizations in the libertarian movement are reaping the benefits
from."
-- Dave Nolan, Libertarian Party co-founder, Nolan Chart
creator
_________________________________________________________________
CONTENTS
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ADVOCATES
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS, UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
* Boys Suspended For "Finger Guns"
* Your Biggest Expense...
* Congress Goes Hog-Wild
ON THE WEB
* Editor's Choice: Restoration Online
ASK DR. RUWART
* An Anti-Flag-Burning Amendment
* Which way to libertarianism: logic, emotion, or love?
* Libertarians, Abortion, Unity, and Respect
PERSUASION POWER POINT
* You Are Liberty's Advertisement
by Michael Cloud
PRODUCT REVIEW
* The Legendary Roy Child Picks The Best Liberty Books
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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear friends,
Last issue, we discussed the importance of our having a
vision for
libertarianism. Let's explore this a little further.
If we are to get what we want, first we must KNOW what we
want and be
able to picture it. Ask any great homerun hitter and I think he'll
tell you that he can "see" the ball sailing over the fence in his
mind's eye.
Do we as libertarians have a strong enough vision -- one
worthy of the
task we have set out to accomplish?
Recently, Israeli government officials said they had
decided it was
important for Jewish children all over the world to understand their
Jewish heritage. So they announced the government would pay for every
Jewish child in the world to visit Israel for two weeks. Not 10% of
Jewish children. Not half of Jewish children. Not "as many Jewish
children as we can." ALL Jewish children. Now that's VISION.
What is our vision as libertarians?
When Robert Woodruff was chairman of Coca-Cola from
1923-1955, his
stated vision was that everyone in the world would taste a Coca-Cola.
*Everyone in the world.* That's VISION.
What is our vision as libertarians?
A few members of the Gideon Society had the audacity to
believe that
they could place a Bible in every single hotel room in America. Ever
been in a hotel room that didn't have a Bible?
The abolitionists didn't envision "making sure slaves
have more
comfortable beds" or a "shorter work week for slaves." Would we
be
quite as excited if the revolution to tear down the Berlin Wall had
stopped at opening it for visiting hours on Sundays?
What is your vision for libertarianism? Is it powerful
enough and bold
enough to lead you - and others - to action that will change the
world?
* * *
Correction: In my last column, I was inaccurate in my
re-telling of
Anthony Robbins' story about an NFL team and their goal-setting
efforts. The team didn't win ALL of its regular-season games, as I
reported - just a lot of them. Thanks to the readers who pointed this
out to me. Thanks also to all the readers who shared they were
inspired by the story.)
Thank you for reading the Liberator Online.
Sharon Harris, President
mailto:sharon@self-gov.org
PS: Many of you enjoyed last issue's "Product
Review" special, which
featured an article by Jim Powell, editor of Laissez Faire Books,
entitled "The 20 Best Liberty Books Ever Written."
This issue we've continued in that vein - with an essay by
the late,
great Roy Childs, "Reading the Literature of Liberty." Roy was one of
the Founding Fathers of the modern libertarian movement - a wonderful
speaker and writer, editor of the sorely-missed magazine Libertarian
Review, and for several years until his death editor of Laissez Faire
Books.
Read Roy's essay on the great liberty books - and remember
that
Laissez Faire Books is currently having a special sale: 15% off their
already-low prices for *every book they carry.* As you'll see, this
means *garage-sale prices* for many wonderful books. Some titles are
30%, 40% or more off the publishers price! (Plus, FREE shipping on all
orders over $100!)
And they're all available through the Advocates.
Enjoy Roy's essay - and take advantage of great savings on
some of the
finest books ever written on liberty. Thank you!
_________________________________________________________________
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH
THE ADVOCATES
* Mary Ruwart's book praised: In September and October of
1999,
Laissez Faire Books asked their customers to vote for the most
important libertarian books of the 20th century. Dr. Ruwart's
acclaimed Healing Our World was ranked #8, sharing honors with giants
such as Rand, Rothbard, Friedman, and Mises. Congratulations! For more
information on Healing Our World, see her column "Ask Dr. Ruwart" in
this and every issue of the Liberator Online.
* THIS WEEKEND: April 15, Las Vegas, Nevada: Advocates
President
Sharon Harris will speak at the state convention of the Nevada
Libertarian Party. Also scheduled: libertarian communication expert
Michael Cloud. For more information, email NVdirector@aol.com.
* Advocates President to speak at World Libertarian
Conference: Sharon
Harris will join a star-studded roster of speakers at the upcoming
19th Annual World Libertarian Conference, sponsored by the
International Society for Individual Liberty. (This gathering will
also be the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the International Society
for Individual Liberty.) This is the world's largest international
libertarian event, and it will be held July 23-28 in London, Ontario,
Canada. Speaker confirmed so far include Barbara Branden, John
Hospers, Leon Louw, Tibor Machan, Wendy McElroy, Jan Narveson, Mary
Ruwart, George H. Smith, and many, many more. Special events are also
planned. For more details, contact info@libertyconferences.com.
* Oops: We've been calling our new Libertarian Newsstand
(details
below) the "World's First Libertarian Newsstand." However, Liberator
Online reader Jay Carper points out that he may actually deserves that
description -- at least, more than we do! At his excellent
Christianity & Libertarianism site
(http://libertarian.faithweb.com/main.html) Jay created a "Virtual
Magazine Rack" with links to subscription sites for many libertarian
magazines - and did so long before our newsstand was up. Thanks, Jay,
for pointing this out (and thanks for describing the Advocates
newsstand as "fantastic.") In our defense, our Libertarian Newsstand
(http://www.self-gov.org/newsstand.html) is, as far as we know, the
first and only site where you can subscribe to the leading libertarian
publications at one place, instead of having to pursue different links
for each publication.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES AND
OPPORTUNITIES
* FREE "Libertarian Clips": "Libertarian
Clips" is a daily (or weekly,
if you prefer) clipping service that brings you news stories from
around the world that use the words "libertarian" or
"libertarianism."
See what libertarians are doing, and see how the media is using those
words. It's FREE, and subscribing is a snap. Just click here:
http://www.self-gov.org/clips/
* Communication Bargain of the Century: You can get the
great 3-tape
audio course "The Essence of Political Persuasion" from us at the
*give-away* price of only $7.50 - that price includes handling and,
First Class mail so you'll get it right away! Libertarian Party
Political Director Ron Crickenberger says this Advocates offer is
"...the greatest gift the libertarian movement has received in years."
Thanks to "Persuasion" creator Michael Cloud for making this offer
possible. We've put over 4,000 sets into the hands of libertarian
activists in the past year and a half!
To order, see: http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/persuasion.html
This is a secure site, so you can order via credit card
with
confidence. You can also call us or mail $7.50 to the Advocates. Our
phone number and address are at the end of this issue.
* NEW Libertarian Newsstand: Here's where you will find
America's
finest libertarian magazines and journals - at the lowest price on the
Web! Titles include Reason, Liberty, LP News, The Journal of Ayn Rand
Studies, and many more! Plus, a selection of the finest and most
influential political magazines of all persuasions; plus nearly 1,000
magazines on almost every topic - at the lowest prices on the Web,
with FREE NO-RISK trial subscriptions for many top titles. Every
purchase you make benefits the Advocates -- it's an easy, painless and
win-win way to contribute to this vital libertarian work. Check it
out: http://www.self-gov.org/newsstand.html.
* Year 2000 Lights of Liberty Awards: You can win
certificates, public
recognition, prizes and more for your vital activism for liberty.
Awards are given for: 3 libertarian letters to the editor; 3 sessions
working at an OPH booth; OR 3 libertarian-oriented public speeches.
Click here http://www.self-gov.org/lights/ to learn more.
_________________________________________________________________
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS,
UNBELIEVABLE NEWS
by James W. Harris
Boys Suspended For "Finger Guns"
A school official has defended the three-day suspension of
four
kindergartners who were reportedly "threatening" other children with
their fingers posed as guns while on the playground during recess.
The incident happened on March 15 at Wilson Elementary
School in
Sayreville, New Jersey.
"Their behavior was significant enough to warrant the
punishment,"
Assistant Superintendent Dennis Fyffe told the Sayreville Home News
Tribune newspaper on April 6.
Fyffe refused to elaborate on the specifics of what the
kindergartners
actually did or said. But, he said ominously, "It was not just a
simple game of cops and robbers."
On March 15, on the school playground during lunch recess,
several
children overheard the boys making what they perceived as threatening
comments. One of the children reportedly said, "Boom! I have a bazooka
and I want to shoot you." The onlooking students reported this to a
teacher. The teacher told the principal, who consulted with the
superintendent and assistant superintendent. The suspension was a
joint decision by the latter three.
"It was a well-thought-out decision, bearing in mind
the age of the
students and the type of infraction," said school board member Curtis
Clark. "It was in no way a knee-jerk reaction."
No word yet on whether the boys' fingers will be chopped
off if they
repeat their crime.
(Source: Home News Tribune, April 6, 2000)
Your Biggest Expense...
Today, taxes are by far the biggest expense for American
families.
According to a new study by the Tax Foundation, taxes take more of the
median two-income family's earnings than food, clothing, housing and
transportation -- *combined.*
The median two-income American family in 1998 paid taxes
of $26,759 on
a total income of $68,759. Federal taxes took 25.9% of that paycheck,
and state and local taxes took an extra 13.1%. (Other studies indicate
this tax bite is even higher. And this figure doesn't include the huge
additional cost of complying with government regulations, a cost that
is, in effect, an additional tax burden.)
Compare that with forty years ago. In 1958, federal taxes
took 14.2%,
and state and local taxes 3.7%
It's also interesting to compare the savings rate for
those two eras.
In the lower-tax year of 1958, the annual savings rate was 6.5%. In
1998, it had fallen to 0.4%
(Source: Tax Foundation study, reported by Associated
Press analyst
John Cuniff)
Congress Goes Hog-Wild
Flush with "surplus" tax dollars, Congress has
gone hog-wild this year
with an incredible increase in pork barrel-spending. So charges
Citizens Against Government Waste, a private watchdog group that
documents and exposes wasteful government spending.
According to the new edition of the group's annual
"Pig Book," pork
spending is up by an astounding 47% over last year. All told, Congress
earmarked $17.7 billion for such projects for fiscal 2000 - the
largest amount since Citizens Against Government Waste began tracking
pork in 1991.
The "Pig Book" includes over 4,300 items that
meet at least one of the
following criteria for pork:
* Serve only a local or special interest;
* Not be subjected to a public hearing;
* Not be competitively awarded;
* Requested by only one chamber of Congress;
* Bypass the regular congressional authorizing process;
* Not be part of the president's budget; or,
* Greatly exceed the president's budget or the past year's
allocation.
Both Democrats and Republicans engaged in the orgy of pork
spending,
with the most powerful members of Congress naturally taking home the
most bacon.
Top pork procurer was Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who is,
appropriately enough, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) got a
$375 million
amphibious assault ship project for his home district -- despite the
Navy's request that older carriers be renovated instead.
House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Missouri) grabbed
$275 million
for five F-15 fighter planes to be built in his district - even though
the Pentagon had not sought the planes.
(Source: Citizens Against Government Waste; Atlanta
Constitution)
The Same All Over...
"Politicians are the same all over. They promise to
build bridges
even when there are no rivers." - attributed to Nikita Khruschev,
Soviet Union Premier,1958-1964.
_________________________________________________________________
ON THE WEB
Editor's Choice: Restoration Online
Restoration Magazine is a publication for libertarian
college
students.
At their site, they write:
We are Libertarians
Restoration Magazine is all about freedom. We advocate a
return to
(a restoration of) the original notions of political liberty, rule
of law, individual rights, free thought and free enterprise behind
the American political experiment.
We are neither conservatives nor liberals. We are
libertarians.
Conservatives believe in economic freedom but advocate curtailing
personal freedoms, religious freedoms and sometimes free thought.
Liberals advocate personal freedoms but want to limit the
individual's right to trade, their freedom to own property and the
liberty to make and spend money how one pleases.
We believe in both freedoms.
To a libertarian, the government is a powerful and
dangerous
entity. It uses force to make people behave a certain way.
Libertarians believe government should only use this force in
reaction to or in prevention of violence. We are not
anti-government. We believe that government has a role in
protecting people from force and fraud. But peaceful interaction
between consenting adults or behavior without real victims are poor
reasons for government to use the police state.
We believe in a restoration in the minds of the people of
the
notion of civil society. A civil society is one in which human life
is unpolitical, in which people are allowed to live as they wish.
In civil society, those who are not violent will not be subject to
state violence.
We believe in a future in which technology, ideas,
enterprise,
beliefs, customs and lifestyles are allowed to change and grow
flexibly without the control of the government. Government is
usually a tool of those afraid of the unknown, people who fear the
undiscovered country of the future. Government is an agent of those
who are afraid of a future not controlled by someone. We believe in
a world in which people are allowed to produce spiritually,
intellectually, economically and technologically without
restriction by a paternalistic government.
It is incumbent on our generation to make this vision a
reality.
Visit their site to get free copies of their magazine and
find out how
to distribute issues on your campus.
Their site is:
http://www.restorationmag.com
---------------------Advertisement-------------------
Help The Advocates - And Help Yourself!
Through April 30, the publishers of the following magazines are
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_________________________________________________________________
ASK DR. RUWART
How can you answer difficult questions about
libertarianism -- in
short, positive, persuasive soundbite-sized responses? It's a
challenge every libertarian communicator faces.
Dr. Mary Ruwart is a leading expert in libertarian
communication and
author of the international bestseller "Healing Our World." Her new
book is "Short Answers to the Tough Questions." In this column she
provides Liberator Online readers with "Short Answers to the Tough
Questions" that libertarians are frequently asked.
If you'd like Dr. Ruwart to provide effective answers for
YOUR "tough
questions" on libertarian issues, just email the questions to her at:
mailto:ruwart@self-gov.org. *Due to volume, Dr. Ruwart can't
personally answer or acknowledge all email queries.* But we'll run the
best questions -- and Dr. Ruwart's answers -- in upcoming issues.
Extra Tip: Dr. Ruwart suggests that answers are often best
preceded by
a "Ransberger Pivot" statement, to establish common ground with the
questioner. (Example: "Like you, I too want to live in a world where
the environment is clean... Like you, I too want to see greater
abundance for all people...") For more on the Ransberger Pivot
communication technique, see previous issues, or contact the
Advocates.
Dr. Ruwart's past answers are archived in searchable form
at the
http://www.self-gov.org/ruwart/
http://www.self-gov.org/ruwart/
* * *
An Anti-Flag-Burning Amendment
Question:
"I hear a lot of talk about a proposed anti-flag
burning amendment. On
one hand it seems that this amendment would be a violation of the
First Amendment, on the other it seems that the measure is only
decent. After all, why should we allow our own citizens to show
disrespect for our great country and every man, woman or child that
has ever died for it?
"What would a libertarian think about such an
amendment?"
My short answer:
"If a person burns a flag which they have purchased,
they are not
aggressing against another human being. Specifically, they aren't
assaulting, defaming, cheating, or stealing from anybody. They are
making a peaceful protest. The right to criticize our country or
government is paramount to our freedom, the ideal represented by that
flag.
"If we throw flag burners in jail, take their money
in fines, or
otherwise cause them harm, we become the aggressors. This is not the
libertarian way. Libertarians do not harm others except in defense of
themselves or their property.
"You believe that flag burning shows disrespect
towards those who have
fought to preserve our freedoms. Punishing protestors shows an even
more profound disrespect for the ideals that these people died for. An
intact flag is worthless if it no longer stands for freedom. A flag
burned to ashes challenges us to remember just exactly what freedom
is."
* * *
Which way to libertarianism: logic, emotion, or love?
Question:
"I am disturbed by the notion that people should be
persuaded by
emotional appeal, subtle connotation (e.g. using the words 'free
enterprise' instead of 'capitalism'), and other factors that have
little to do with reason and logic. Although I recognize that people
are often persuaded by such things, it seems likely that any public
opinion gains that are not sufficiently founded in reason will be
short lived.
"I fear that we may even do a disservice to freedom
by implicitly
conceding logical points in an attempt to appeal to illogical people.
For example, feminists push for equality of results as if that, in
itself, is a moral imperative. If we respond by assuring them that
libertarianism will provide a greater 'equality,' don't we concede the
premise in an effort to win the support? Doesn't the cure becomes
worse than the disease?
"Shouldn't our first goal be to persuade people that
logic is the tool
to discover truth, rather than cultivating unthinking support?"
My short answer:
"Truth presents itself differently to people,
depending upon how they
see the world. Some people accept an idea when it appears logical;
others only go along with what is practical; still others are moved
only by love, etc. Logic is a wonderful way to truth -- but not the
only way, or the only 'right' way.
"Like most truth, liberty can be discovered by all of
these routes --
logic, pragmatism, or love. A feminist might embrace liberty because
it will indeed promote equality -- and will then discover 'why'
liberty is so powerful through the logical derivation of human rights.
"I'm fond of saying that 'Liberty works because it is
right; the proof
that liberty is right is that it works.' Morality and practicality are
two sides of the same coin -- inseparable. Does it matter what side of
the freedom coin that a person looks at first? Once the coin is in
hand, both sides become apparent.
"Historically, libertarians have clustered around the
logical thinking
of intellectuals, and some find any other derivation of liberty
questionable. I wrote 'Healing Our World' in part to illustrate that
the non-aggression principle clearly derives from the heart as well as
the head, from the practical as well as the moral. Truth can be seen
from whatever direction an individual comes from.
"Now that you've explored the logical 'heads' side of
liberty, why not
turn it over and explore the other 'tails' side of pragmatism and
love?
* * *
Libertarians, Abortion, Unity, and Respect
"Dr. Ruwart, I just wanted to thank you for putting
the link to the
Libertarians For Life page (http://www.l4l.org) on your short answer
on abortion. There are a lot of us out here who disagree with your
position on abortion and still stay devoted libertarians. I just
wanted to share my appreciation for your openness to different
positions on the issue and your willingness to share the other side of
this issue."
My short answer:
"I appreciate your response as well. No one likes the
idea of
abortion; we all look forward to the day when it is obsolete.
"Abortion is such a heated issue that our emotions
often get in the
way of understanding the other side. Without that understanding, we
can't present our own point of view in a way that has merit to our
'opponents.' Instead of discussing until we come to resolution, we
start name-calling and fighting, making enemies instead of friends.
"You obviously understand this. By responding
positively, you've set
an example for all us to follow. When we are talking and sharing,
instead of snarling and hissing, we increase the chances of finding a
resolution that we can all support.
"All libertarians use the non-aggression principle as
their yardstick
of behavior. However, the application of that principle is not always
crystal clear on every issue. It's a real-life challenge. How do we as
libertarians proceed?
"My preference is to honor libertarians who disagree
with me on the
abortion issue (or any others). Very few libertarians agree on
everything. I am delighted to engage in respectful discussion. I thank
you especially for setting an example for us! My fervent hope is that
somehow, someway, we can find unity in this diversity."
* * *
Dr. Ruwart's book "Healing Our World" features
persuasive arguments
for liberty, backed with *over 500 references* showing how liberty
works. You can browse the entire book online at:
http://www.netbooks.com/catalog/ruwart/index.html
You can order it at a special reduced price of only $12.95
(plus
shipping) from the Advocates. Check out our online catalog at:
http://www.reliablehost.com/self-gov/opp.html
Dr. Ruwart's newest book is "Short Answers to the
Tough Questions,"
also available from the Advocates for $12.00 (plus shipping).
_________________________________________________________________
PERSUASION POWER POINT
#87
You Are Liberty's Advertisement
by Michael Cloud
The Boston Globe's premiere liberal columnist, David Nyhan,
writes:
"How come just about everyone who ever said to me,
`I'm a Libertarian'
seemed bright, well-mannered, at least reasonably dressed...?
"Intelligent, well-informed, articulate,
knowledgeable about history
and the workings of government, the Libertarians of my acquaintance
have been generally upstanding citizens." (4/9/00)
Look at CATO. Observe The Reason Foundation. Consider the
Cascade
Institute. And Laissez Faire Books.
Look at the Libertarian Party.
And look at the Advocates for Self-Government.
Their spokespeople embody the three C's: Competence,
Character,
Credibility.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What you are speaks so
loudly, I cannot
hear a word you say."
But there's Cloud's corollary: "Who you are speaks so
proudly, I hear
every word you say."
Every time a Cato spokesperson like Ed Crane or David Boaz
appears on
C-SPAN, Fox News Channel, CNN, CNBC, or PBS...he radiates competence,
character, and credibility.
Who he is...amplifies his message.
Every time Sharon Harris or Carole Ann Rand or Mary Ruwart
speak on
behalf of the Advocates for Self-Government...who they are...magnifies
their message.
Who you are dramatically affects what you say. And the
impact of your
message on the audience.
But it does something more. Who you are substantially
influences what
people think of our libertarian message.
When Sharon Harris gives a speech, she is a living
advertisement for
the Advocates. She is an advertisement for libertarianism. She is
liberty.
When audiences see her - a well-groomed, articulate,
informed, and
credible spokesperson for liberty - that positively impacts their
perception of libertarianism.
When every visible libertarian exudes competence,
character, and
credibility, this positively shapes public perception of us and our
ideas.
But it does something even more important.
Who you are determines who you attract into the
libertarian movement.
Like attracts like.
Courteous and civil libertarians like Harry Browne and
Charles Murray
attract people like them.
Positive and upbeat libertarians like Carole Ann Rand and
Marshall
Fritz bring people like themselves into the libertarian Movement.
Credible and capable libertarians like Dr. Ken Bisson and
Paul Schmidt
attract people like themselves.
Every one of these new libertarians embody and radiate the
same
positive qualities. This creates a virtuous upward spiral.
As we attract more and more individuals of credibility,
character, and
competence...more and more newspaper columnists, TV personalities, and
other public figures will recognize our personal and character
virtues.
This increases the chances that libertarianism will get a
full and
fair hearing.
Every time you dress well and handle yourself well, you
powerfully
publicize Liberty.
Every time you write well and speak well, you advance the
cause of
Liberty.
Because you are Liberty's Advertisement.
**********************
Michael Cloud is the creator of "The Essence of
Political Persuasion"
tapes. In 1999, Libertarian State Chairs voted him the best speaker in
the Libertarian Party. They call his speeches "electrifying" and
"unforgettable." Later this year, Michael Cloud's book "The Art
of
Libertarian Persuasion will be published by LiamWorks.
"The Essence of Political Persuasion," a
widely-acclaimed 3-tape
communication course, is available from the Advocates at the
*give-away* price of only $7.50 postpaid; see "What's Happening" in
this issue.
_________________________________________________________________
PRODUCT REVIEW:
The Legendary Roy Child Picks The Best Liberty Books
(and you can get them at 15%-47% off!)
The late, great Roy Childs was a libertarian legend,
renowned for his
incredible wide-ranging knowledge, his wit, his sparkling writing and
speech-making, and his passionate love of life and liberty. An early
protégé of Murray ("Mr. Libertarian") Rothbard, Roy achieved fame as
writer, editor of Libertarian Review, Cato Institute scholar, and
Laissez Faire Books editor.
Roy knew libertarian books better than almost anyone. In
1987, he
wrote the following essay on the great books of libertarianism. And
his list has stood the test of time - virtually all the titles he
recommends are still in print, still vital and essential, still daily
opening minds and changing lives.
And please note: These books are all available, for a
limited time
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"Reading the Literature of Liberty"
by Roy A. Childs, Jr.
Any listing of the "great books" of liberty
published in recent times
must necessarily be a personal one. Libertarianism is first and
foremost the doctrine championing individual freedom, private
property, unfettered capitalism, and free trade. As such, it has never
been captured fully in any one book or essay. As a doctrine, it lies
scattered throughout the pages of countless books and articles; as a
point of view, it has many variations. Any list of books and essays
must be incomplete, but that does not mean that we should eschew the
attempt. Here is my own list of "great books," culled from more than
twenty years of reading.
I always begin with "Economics In One Lesson" by
Henry Hazlitt. It is
the damnedest book: a brilliant introduction to economics, a work that
teaches you how to think in terms of political and economic
principles, and a refutation of hosts of myths about the free market,
all in one package. Hazlitt gives example after example. You want to
"cure unemployment," Hazlitt says, or protect American jobs from
foreign competition. You favor some government program to do just
that. The problem is, you are only looking at the program's obvious
results; you aren't looking at its unintended consequences. Yet you
must, in order to see the whole picture. In twenty-six chapters,
Hazlitt will lead you through illustration after illustration of this
basic principle, and show how those favored government programs do
more harm than good. This is a mind-opening book. Every single year
thousands of new readers discover it to their delight.
Economics in One Lesson (1946, $8.46 - a 15% savings)
http://www.lfb.org/hh7135.cfm?AssociateID=SG
Move from economics to one of the keenest essays ever
written on
political theory, Frederic Bastiat's "The Law." We are born into the
world naked, he writes, and to live we human beings must produce the
things we need. That's why we need property rights, and the function
of just laws under a just government should be to protect these basic
rights. But alas! the law has been perverted, and has become an
instrument for legalized plunder. "The Law" was first published as a
pamphlet in 1850; its truths remain eternal. If you want a collection
of Bastiat's essays that includes "The Law" along with other
breathtaking essays too, get "Selected Essays on Political Economy."
Bastiat anticipates Henry Hazlitt and Ayn Rand in important respects.
The Law (1850, $2.55 - a 15% savings)
http://www.lfb.org/in0282.cfm?AssociateID=SG
Selected Essays on Political Economy by Frederic Bastiat
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My next choice is a personal favorite: Rose Wilder Lane's
magnificent
book "The Discovery of Freedom." This is a soaring hymn to freedom
first published in 1943 that surveys the broad scheme of human
history. Here is the story of "Man's Struggle Against Authority," the
search over the centuries for human freedom. Written with the
passionate eloquence of a novel, this book continues to enchant new
readers year after year.
The Discovery of Freedom (1943, $12.71 - a 15% savings)
http://www.lfb.org/in0001.cfm?AssociateID=SG
Albert Jay Nock's classic "Our Enemy, the State"
was first published
in 1935, and is a highly readable essay in historical interpretation.
Nock was a fascinating man who was very nearly alone in holding high
the torch of liberty in the dark New Deal days. He looks at American
history and develops the theme that history is a race between state
power and voluntary social power. His indictment of statism is
withering.
Our Enemy, the State (1935 -- $8.46 You save 15%! )
http://www.lfb.org/hs0343.cfm?AssociateID=SG
The next step must certainly be Ayn Rand's monumental
novel, "Atlas
Shrugged." There has been a strong revival of interest in Rand's work
since her death in 1982, particularly following the publication of
Barbara Branden's superb biography "The Passion of Ayn Rand." In
reviewing the biography for the Washington Post, George Gilder wrote
that "Atlas Shrugged is the most important novel of ideas since War
and Peace," and noted that Rand had "flung her gigantic books into the
teeth of an intelligentsia still intoxicated with state power" back in
1957 when Atlas was first published. For many people, particularly the
young, reading Atlas is an explosive intellectual event. Millions have
read it since it was published -- and it continues to attract more
than one hundred thousand new readers every year. It is an unequalled
celebration of reason, human ability, individual freedom, and
capitalism. By all means get the hardcover edition of "Atlas
Shrugged." You will want to return to it many, many times.
Atlas Shrugged (1957, paperback, $7.61 - a 15% savings)
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Atlas Shrugged (1957, hardcover, $33.96 - a 15% savings)
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The Passion of Ayn Rand by Barbara Branden ($14.41 - a 15%
savings)
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Probably the only libertarian whose public visibility is
even greater
than Ayn Rand is the ubiquitous Milton Friedman, the most respected
advocate of capitalism of our time. His 1962 work Capitalism and
Freedom is in my view the best statement of his viewpoint. Here you'll
see a great mind at work, and appreciate the power of quiet eloquence.
And if you ever get the chance, don't pass up an opportunity to
witness Milton Friedman's genius in all its glory: the ten-hour PBS
series "Free to Choose."
Free to Choose (1980 book, $10.16 - a 15% savings)
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Free to Choose (ten-hour five video set, $114.75 - a 15%
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Next I'd recommend the works of F. A. Hayek. His seminal
work "The
Road to Serfdom" was first published in 1944 and has become a classic
warning against the dangers to freedom inherent in the planned
economy; it's as powerful today as the day it was written. Chapters
like "Why the Worst Get on Top" and "The End of Truth" are
both
provocative and chilling. Don't pass this one up! Then move on to not
one but two other masterpieces by Hayek: The Constitution of Liberty
and the three volume set Law, Legislation, and Liberty. These are
among the most richly rewarding books you will ever read.
The Road to Serfdom (1944, $9.31 - a 15% savings)
http://www.lfb.org/fa6155.cfm?AssociateID=SG
Turn now to the works of Murray Rothbard. His manifesto
"For A New
Liberty" sets out his own version of the principles of libertarianism,
and proceeds to look at one problem area after another. Here you'll
find suggestive answers to all those thorny problems that people keep
raising: public education, the welfare state, even streets, roads,
environmentalism, foreign policy, and more besides! Thousands of
people have found this an excellent overview of libertarianism. If you
want food for thought, here is a gourmet's delight! But don't neglect
the works that really made Rothbard's reputation as a young man: his
treatise "Man, Economy, and State" is a magnificent contribution both
to economics and to political theory, while its sequel, "Power and
Market" launched a full-scale critique of state intervention in the
economy.
For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto (1973, $8.46
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Power and Market (1977, $8.46 - you save 15%)
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Let's end with the works of two of the great minds of our
time: Ludwig
von Mises and Robert Nozick. We at Laissez Faire Books carry nearly
everything Mises ever wrote because without a doubt he has made a
greater contribution to the intellectual defense of capitalism in our
time than anyone else. Get copies of his two undeniable masterpieces:
"Socialism" and "Human Action." "Socialism" is
without a doubt one of
the great works in social philosophy of the twentieth century; it is
the most devastating indictment of socialism ever penned. "Human
Action" is a bit more difficult to read, but it is undeniably one of
the greatest products of the human mind of the 20th century. It is a
full-scale treatise that really covers much more ground than just
economics. It was first published in 1949, but thousands of new
readers discover it afresh every year, and countless others find
themselves returning to it.
Socialism (1922, $8.50 - a 15% savings)
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Human Action (1949, $21.21 - a 15% savings)
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Last but not least, Robert Nozick's "Anarchy, State
and Utopia" is a
razzle-dazzle work in political philosophy that has already been
proclaimed a classic. It's a work of astonishing intellectual
virtuosity, wisdom, wit and insight.
Anarchy, State and Utopia (1974, $8.46 -- a 47% savings)
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That's my list of the "great books" of liberty.
There are many, many
others, and those that are in print you'll find scattered through the
Laissez Faire Books catalog. There are classic works by Thomas Sowell,
Thomas Szasz, James Buchanan, Israel Kirzner, and many others, of
course. Each author I've mentioned has a unique perspective, and often
disagrees heatedly with others. So be it!
Good reading.
-- Roy Childs, 1987
* * *
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Newsletter of Volitional Science. Edited by Peter N. Sisco. Andrew J.
Galambos is associated with the idea of "primary property." The
Professor (as he was known) taught hundreds of students in the 1960s
and 1970s at his private seminars on what he called Volitional
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