Historians, the State, and Liberty

Robert Higgs critically examines how academic historians have shaped—and often distorted—our understanding of the relationship between the state and individual liberty. Drawing from historical examples and highlighting ideological biases within the historical profession, Higgs argues that historians often overlook or rationalize the state’s infringement upon personal freedoms. He explores key episodes in American history, from colonial mercantilism and the American Revolution to Progressivism and beyond, revealing how state expansion has consistently undermined genuine liberty. This lecture challenges listeners to reconsider the prevailing narratives taught in schools and universities, emphasizing the need for skepticism and critical thinking in the study of history.