I think I agree with you. I was a democrat (not quite socialist) before I became a libertarian. The biggest reason I was a democrat was my environmental views and me being fiercely against the war in Iraq. I gradually converted to libertarianism after educating myself from several websites including this one. It all started to make sense. If it wasn’t for the internet I would have still been stuck in my democratic views. I believe Harry Browne’s book, Why Government Doesn’t Work is a good book to recommend.
I agree entirely from personal experiences.
Trying to convince a conservative that liberty is the number one goal is like trying to move the stone from the tomb of Jesus. forget about it.
i’d even go so far to say that not only are the socialists easier, but they’re better quality libertarians too.
I’d also suggest Robert LeFevre’s The Nature of Man and His Government. It’s more of a pamphlet than a book. Like Mainspring, it can be read in only a few hours.
I’m not sure that I can suggest a book that is better suited for socialists than for conservatives, if the person reading the book is capable of any independent thought, as long as the book is good and conveys the message clearly, it will at least get the ball rolling.
If they’re “un-educated” conservatives (Rush Limbaugh), I would start with some suggesting some William Buckley. Then perhaps, in this order (if they show the least bit of an open mind): Barry Goldwater, John Stossel (or someone else who is less conservative than Goldwater; a bit of intution here is obviously required…), & anything from Reason that doesn’t directly attack conservatism. If the conservative you are suggesting to still shows interest, I would let him in on TheLibertyPapers & the LRC.
It’s a bit of a shot in the dark, but you can’t blame one for trying.
I normally wouldn’t have bothered, but I did actually have some luck all the way up till Goldwater & Stossel with a previously arduent Republican lobbyist (who was apparently Pro-Bush) that some friend’s roomates knew. I’m not sure what happened to him (haven’t seen him beyond introductions), but he was fairly young, so I’m assuming that helped a bit too, but obviously a huge amount of patience (as well as tolerance) is required for such an undertaking [:O].
I have to agree with Anton concerning socialists; discourse I’ve had with them go much more smoothly when I either ignore minor mis-terms (which tended to set off red flags & inititated tangental arguments), or clarify moreso what I’m not advocating (clarifying that I’m not vulgarly excusing the current status of markets or the state as the result of, etc.).
Recently, I recommended one of my socialist friends (who has done legit reading) to check out some of Carson’s works if they wanted some food for thought (“An Austrian & Marxist Synthesis”). I’m hopeful that he will at least find it worthwhile.
Oh, and I might as well point out the obvious, whilst it won’t convert anybody immediatly, it should get them thinking. I’m sure many people on here will disagree with me, but I think 1984 is important and useful.
I think we have all made a great fallacy…we assumed that socialists could read. Reading assumes that one has at least a general level of intelligence, which we can not assume seeing as they are socialists. Socialism makes its point not based on thought, but on emotions. “What songs can we play for socialists so that they can feel free market economics” may be a better question to ask.
Oh, they can read. What they often cannot do is be intellectually honest, so they will concoct myths such as “there’s no one truth” and so on.
-Jon
bastiat’s “the law”
Irwin Schiff =
How an Economy Grows
It’s a comic book, about 65 pages… A ten year old can understand it… 
http://freedom-school.com/money/how-an-economy-grows.pdf
Then in terms of inflation;
The Kingdom of Maltz
Basic of the basics!
I thought that the Politically Incorrect Guide to American History was an excellent starter for me. The purpose of this book is to disprove many of the fallacies that our history books teach us, covering everything from the Great Depression to the ideology of the Founding Fathers. I think that if your socialist/social dem friends read this, they will at least begin to question their own philosophy.
None other than the wonderful book “Healing Our World In an Age of Aggression” by Dr. Mary Ruwart. It’s truly a great book to the introduction of Liberty. That would be my first recommendation to friends [:)]
I remember when I converted to capitalism from socialism when I was 15. My friend was already trying to persuade me of the value of the market and it had infiltrated my brain until one day I was sat at the computer chair and looked around. I just looked around my room for 30 seconds and and I just asked myself “Could Socialism provide me with all these consumer goods?”
The answer of course was no, and although it was a good two years to get me to where I am now, I am much more of an idealist than I was when I was a communist or indeed a conservative. There is nothing good about being a moderate. You wouldn’t compromise with a robber who came into your house to give him only half your money so I don’t see why I should compromise with the Government to give them half of my money.
To get back on track; as someone said, morally, the Road to Serfdom is a good one, and economically I think Economics In One Lesson is defintely the best, although I’ve not read anywhere near as much as I’d like to. Also, point them towards this website. There are some absolutely fantastic articles for confirming a belief in the free market here. They’re alot quicker and easier than books but do an amazing job.
If they’re anti-war, then it would be an excellent way to persuade them to tell them that Austrian economics is even more anti-war than Socialism, and unlike Socialism, ‘under’ (I hate to use that term in relation to freedom) Austrian economics it would be extremely hard for a Government to finance an offensive war.