Date: Sat, 02 Jul 1994 08:39:35 -0400 (EDT) From: "BILL WOOLSEY (2-5161)" Subject: Introduction to Libertarianism To: libernet@Dartmouth.EDU Introduction to Libertarianism Libertarianism is a name for the political views of everyone who is fiscally conservative and socially tolerant. Libertarians favor increases in both economic and personal liberty. They are skeptical about government _across the board_. Libertarianism is different from both modern conservatism and modern liberalism. While many conservatives share the libertarian's skepticism of government in general, modern conservatives tend to favor using the criminal justice system to promote traditional moral values. And while many liberals favor social toleration (so libertarianism is sometimes called "classical" or "market" liberalism), modern liberals still favor the failed "tax and spend" policies of big government. Many excellent books and publications are available from Laissez-Faire Books (call 1-800-326-0996) for those interested in learning more about libertarianism. _Market Liberalism: A Paradigm for the 21st Century_, edited by David Boaz and Edward H. Crane and published by the Cato Institute, advocates specific libertarian reforms in the areas of economic, social, and foreign policy. The Cato Institute (1000 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 2001) is a major libertarian think tank that publishes books, journals, and policy studies and organizes conferences. _Reason_ is a monthly magazine published by the Reason Foundation. It is dedicated to "Free Minds and Free Markets" and is the leading libertarian periodical. The Reason Foundation has also sponsored studies on the privatization of various government services. Subscriptions: PO Box 526, Mt. Morris, IL 61054-7868 ($26 per year). Other books provide a more general introduction to libertarian ideas. _Free to Choose: A Personal Statement_ by Milton and Rose Friedman is an introduction to a libertarian perspective on the economy. It was also made into a multi-episode PBS documentary. The Friedmans are strongly libertarian, favoring much less government across the board. Milton Friedman won the Nobel prize in economics and was an economics columnist for _Newsweek_ for many years. _Crisis and Leviathan: Critical Episodes in the Growth of American Government_ by Robert A. Higgs describes the growth of government in the United States despite the libertarian ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Founding Fathers' skepticism of government across the board. Robert Higgs is a professor at Seattle University. Still other books provide an introduction to an even stricter libertarian view of the proper role of government. _Liberty and Nature: An Aristotelian Defense of Liberal Order_ by Douglass R. Rassmussen and Douglas J. Den Uly is a rigorous philosophical defense of a government that is strictly limited to the defense individual rights to life, liberty, and property. It will be of special interest to those attracted by the writings of novelist Ayn Rand. Rassmussen is professor of philosophy at St. John's University and Den Uyl is a professor of philosophy at Bellarmine College. _The Machinery of Freedom: Guide to A Radical Capitalism_ by David Friedman argues that most government activities should be privatized today and that all government activities can be privatized in the future. Friedman's approach is very practical. He explains the reasons why political "solutions" have had adverse consequences and describes the benefits that everyone would obtain if government was rolled back across the board. David Friedman is currently Visiting Professor of Economics at Cornell University. There are also organizations aimed at promoting libertarianism through the political process. The Libertarian Party is the third largest party in the United States and promotes libertarian change by running candidates for public office. LP members currently hold about 110 offices. For more information: Libertarian Party, 1528 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington D.C. 20003 or call 1-800-682-1776. The Republican Liberty Caucus promotes libertarianism within the Republican Party by cultivating "socially tolerant and fiscally conservative" Republicans. For more information: Republican Liberty Caucus, 1717 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 434, Tallahassee, Fla. 32301. Posted by: Bill Woolsey (WoolseyW@Citadel.edu)