Philosophy

In Nicholas Wolterstorff‘s Understanding Liberal Democracy, he assails a vastly influential school of thought in a way that libertarians will find useful.

Herbert Marcuse took pride in his dense, but incomplete writings on philosophy. Dr. Gordon examines Jacob McNulty‘s futile attempt to interpret the thinking of someone who supported Marxian socialism but never successfully explained it.

Economic development cannot ever be seen as an end in itself. People are complex, social beings who may well forgo some of the advantages of economic growth for social stability, something Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard understood.

The intelligentsia really feels like they’re in mortal danger. It’s lovely to see.

Conventional progressive wisdom says that Nazism and Fascism were polar opposites to Communism. Yet, all of these totalitarian worldviews came from the same collectivist origins.

The Technocracy Movement was an offshoot of progressivism, and adherents believed that science and technology were the keys to creating a new Utopia. Not surprisingly, this “Utopia” was anti-individual freedom.

Modern progressives believe that one can only be loyal to one‘s nation by being loyal to the central government. Yet, American history shows that the “nation” is not the state but rather the community to which one belongs.

In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump promised a “revolution of common sense.” However, one area of US government policy that has lacked “common sense” for more than a century is how this government deals with other nations. It‘s time for a change.

Robert Paul Wolff, who recently died, understood that the state is incompatible with individual rights. While he faltered in his views on economics, he helped lay the groundwork for a reasoned and coherent opposition to state-sponsored power.

Libertarian philosophy is based upon the non-aggression principle, but a libertarian society also needs institutions to help carry out those principles, especially for those that are victims of aggression by others.