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Legal research topics?

Legal research topics?

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Sukrit Sabhlok Posted: Wed, Oct 21 2009 7:25 PM

As part of my law degree (in Australia) I have the option of taking a year-long research subject where I get to choose my topic.

Are there any legal theory or law related topics that are worth exploring from a libertarian perspective? I have to produce a 10,000 word paper.

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Daniel replied on Wed, Oct 21 2009 7:56 PM

IP.

My favorite online shop: www.cafepress.com/libertyphile Big Smile

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Stephen replied on Wed, Oct 21 2009 8:17 PM

Why not email Stephan Kinsella? I'm sure he'd be happy to suggest a good one.

Liberals don't mean to destroy people. They just do.

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trulib replied on Sat, Oct 24 2009 7:44 PM

In Knowledge, Calculation, Conflict, and Law, Stephan Kinsella writes:

"One question that bears exploring in this regard is exactly how libertarian are the abstract principles of justice that have been followed throughout the ages by judges and jurists of the common law, Roman law, and Law Merchant?  In other words, just how libertarian are the legal precepts actually developed historically, and just how strong is the presumption of legitimacy which is to be accorded to these extant bodies of law?  Which concepts of the common law are illiberal enough, when compared to Barnett's carefully-developed abstract principles of justice, to overcome the presumption of legitimacy?  And how did the common law happen to employ more or less correct abstract principles of justice even before modern libertarian theory?  Are these principles intuitive?  Was it luck?  Natural selection?  Barnett does not answer these questions, but cannot be criticized for not doing everything.  Libertarian law students and scholars looking for topics to research, pay heed!"  [Emphasis added]

I'd personally love to see a paper on this topic, because it's something I've been wondering about for a while now.  I may even embark on such a project myself.

Truth and Liberty

"No army can stop an idea whose time has come." - Victor Hugo

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liberty student replied on Sat, Oct 24 2009 7:51 PM

Yeah, I would email Kinsella even if you already have a topic.  He might be able to point you in some interesting directions once you have decided.

 

If you find something evil that wobbles, push it. - Gary North

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Laughing Man replied on Sat, Oct 24 2009 7:55 PM

How about a history of 'victimless crimes' with a libertarian spin.

'It is difficult to imagine any normal person wishing to meet Marx for a third time.' - Alexander Gray, The Socialist Tradition

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Wanderer replied on Sat, Oct 24 2009 10:25 PM

What about intellectual property/copyrights?  Or seasteading/ownership of bodies of water?  Utilities monopolies?

Periodically the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots.

Thomas Jefferson

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