I looked at the publications on this site and when I came to Murray N. Rothbard’s “The ethics of liberty” I went out and bought my own copy.
I am new to “knowing” that I am really a libertarian and now that I know, it is a big load off my mind as I was beginning to feel I was alone in the world!
If anyone here could write a 2,000 word essay on what Libertarianism is" and keep it simple, writing for the less literate person, I would be pleased to use my printing and publishing skills to make a PDF, using illustrations, “break-outs” and print it in two columns (easier to scan without moving one’s eyes), so that we all have something short and simple to send out to all the people we know.
The reason why I would like something like this “out there” is because, in Europe, unlike America, we don’t have a libertarian party and most people wouldn’t know what one is, if it came and bit them on the nose! There must be hundreds of thousands of people who, like me, did not know (a) what Libertarian means and (b) that they are, in fact, a libertarian.
If there is nobody to help me, then I could do this myself. However it would have to be in 2009 as I need to know so much more about this before I could write about it thoroughly.
Remember, 2,000 words - a few eeks work for someone who has no deep knowledge of the subject, but ONLY a couple of hours work for someone who has all the knowledge at their fingertips.
Yes, I had thought of that, but this needs to be aimed at creating enthusiasm for the reader to take specific action and to fire him up to the possibilities of this new political thinking.
There are many articles out there, but they all address one of the “threads” of Libertarianism. This article needs to encapsulate the overal picture of what a Libertarian thinks, feels and stands for.
But thanks for your interest and if you do manage to come across such an article - I have looked - I would be grateful for a link to it.
My aplogies for the missing “w” in my seed message.
I see. Are you saying this is only for intellectual members? I was thinking more of attracting the rank and file. I would be very disappointed if this turns out to be another cosy private club. I had really no idea of what a Libertarian was until a few weeks ago, and found I had been one all my life.
I left school before I was fifteen and cannot call myself an intellectual in any way. If you feel that you can win everyone over to your way without appealing to the “man in the street” then, to use an Americanism, “I’m outta here”.
You should look up works by Murray Rothbard if you want stuff directed towards the ‘common’ man. Rothbard wrote in an unusually clear prose and had as the target audience of many of his works the so-called ‘common’ man. Particularly, For a New Liberty and The Ethics of Liberty describe the mechanics and the ethics of the libertarian credo in simple language. It is intelligent work, to be sure, but Rothbard made sure it was plain and understandable in its verbiage.
Yes, someone sent me a link to Chapter fifteen of his book “The ethics of Liberty” and immediately after I read it, I ordered his book. The Introduction by Hans-Hermann Hoppe was almost unreadable for me, but the writings of Murray N. Rothbard, written evidently by an extremely clever and educated man, was very cleat and easy to read. There may well be lots of libertarian groups in Continental Europe (what we British refer to as mainland Europe) but in this country, there seems to be very little knowledge about this subject.
I am thinking that if Dr Paul wins the Republical Nomination next year, it will mean a lot of people will want to know more about this. And although “The Ethics of Liberty” is an excellent book, a three or four page essay encapsulating the essence of Libertarianism - enough for people to think “I can identify with this” would be more useful to people than a three hundred page book. I see such an essay of leading these people onto such a book.
I am not sure about the Democrats in the USA but, in England, I feel that New Labour people (left) could be just as interested in this subject as our Conservatives (right) at the grass root level, although I can see their leadership hating it. We would, alas, need a new party as, by tradition, if the Conservatives lead this way forward, the left would automatically reject it in a knee jerk reaction. Therefore I see the education needs to be started before Ron Paul of the Republicans wins the Democratic Party nominations. In other words, before the right are identified in our left’s mind.
Hence the rush for me publishing the seed message to this thread.
Neither the Tories nor Labour would have any interest in it. In fact an ideology such as libertarianism would strongly compromise their positions. The parties that might show an interest are the UKIP and perhaps the Liberal-Democrats, though I think the latter are just vote-mongering sell-outs. You might find this site to be of interest.
As for Hoppe, I find him easy to read as well, although he writes for a much more advanced audience than did Rothbard.
I agree with you about the UK main parties. Which is why I mentioned that only the grass roots could be interested. The main parties have too much vested interests in central Government. Although, having said that, Ron Paul is certainly going against the Republican vested interests.
I find Dr Gabbs site a little extreme in a lot of areas and although of use to a committed Libertarian, is not one I would push a newcomer at who wanted to find out more about Libertarianism.
And with reference to your comments on Hoppe, this just goes to prove that I have no intellectual capabilities
I think Walter Block gives an excellent little snippet in the introduction of Defending the Undefendable that perhaps you, or someone else, could expand on:
"…Libertarianism. The basic premise of this philosophy is that it is illegitimate to engage in aggression against non-aggressors. What is meant by aggression is not assertiveness, argumentativeness, competitiveness, adventurousness, quarrelsomeness, or antagonism. What is meant by aggression is the use of violence[**], such as that which takes place in murder, rape, robbery or kidnapping. Libertarianism does not imply pacificism; it does not forbid the use of violence in defense or even in retaliation against violence. Libertarian philosophy condemns only the initiation of violence - the use of violence against a non-violent person or his property.
There is nothing untoward or controversial about such a view. Most people would give it their wholehearted support. Indeed, this sentiment is part and parcel of our Western civilization, enshrined in the law, in our Constitution[***], and in the natural law."
[All emphasis in original]
**I would add “or the palpable threat thereof” to cover extortion
***Obviously Professor Block refers to the US Constitution, but it is likely that applies to the English Constitution as well.
Thank you for that, That might be a good idea - to gather a few interesting snippets and weave an article around them. This one has been saved as the first. I really do appreciate that.
In General. Because I never knew I was one until I spent considerable time researching the subject, I want something short to send to people I know. And others who can do the same to people they know. I intend to tie it up with the “short” quiz which seems to have been updated lately at “Advocates for self government”.
Has to be simple and clear so that children can also read it and understand it.
I have sent for the short book “Libertarianism in one easy lesson” from Amazon in the States. Got a shock as postage was over three times the book cost.
might be a good jump off point if you were looking for somethign already written thats concise that you could further shorten.
also i dont have a link to hand but i remember reading a website that explained libertarianism through appeals to SouthPark. perhaps youd find that kind of thing amusing/helpful
I think I could tie together parts of some of my campaign literature into what you’re looking for. Drop me an email at JAlanKatz@mises.com if you’re interested in seeing what I have.
Thank you for the Wiki link. Yes, there is quite a lot of useful information there. I have already decided that I will have to write this myself so that link will prove a good starting point.
I have also Googled “South Park” and “Libertarianism” and am ploughing through some of the links. I was particularly amused by the Wall-Mart episode where we finally learn who is responsible for the invasion of Wall-Mart into every area of our lives (Tesco in Britain). It is us, the consumer
