Topic: Classical Liberalism

Art and Culture, Classical Liberalism, History

10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Call Leftists “Liberal”

– July 24, 2021

“If we are to stand up for liberal civilization, we must first appreciate the great arc of liberalism—that is, the development of liberalism, beginning, say, with the printing press in the fifteenth century and its subsequent ups and downs, and across liberal civilization, not just the American scene.” ~ Daniel B. Klein

Art and Culture, Classical Liberalism, Economic Education

Does Classical Liberalism Need Intersectionality Theory?

– July 2, 2021

“If you still hold out hope that classical liberal thought can be constructively reconciled with intersectionality theory in a way that meets Crenshaw’s own terms, I can only suggest that you are likely being as dismissive of underlying problems with intersectionality as the political right is with intersectionality itself.” ~ Phillip W. Magness

Art and Culture, Classical Liberalism

Learning about Liberty and Its Loss

– June 27, 2021

“Those interested in liberty in all its facets — philosophical, personal, political, economic, social — must realize the importance of taking seriously the study of the ideas and history of freedom, and the challenges that have brought about the counterrevolution against a free society that we are once again confronting.” ~ Richard M. Ebeling

Classical Liberalism, Economic Education, Government

So Sordid and So Selfish: What Governmentalization Does to Us

– June 25, 2021

“The governmentalization of social affairs throws us into the passive position, where our sentiments are “almost always so sordid and so selfish.” That is what liberalism understands. Shout it from the rooftops: Governmentalization sucks.” ~ Daniel B. Klein

Books, Classical Liberalism, Free Markets

Saving America From the Counterrevolution

– June 14, 2021

“Defenders of the great revolution of enlightenment values and modernity have our work cut out for us. Harwood’s book is just as relevant today as it was in 1951 and at less than 100 pages, it is a manifesto for those who are up to the task of standing watch over the well-being of our society.” ~ Ethan Yang

Authoritarianism, Classical Liberalism, Crisis

The World May Be Getting Darker, But We Must Carry on the Light of Liberalism

– June 11, 2021

“Liberalism is not merely an abstraction we fight to advance for its own sake, but rather for the sake of the flesh and blood of humans of the world, and in remembrance of those who have fought the good fight before us. As ‘society is sweeping towards destruction’ let us keep in mind our own limited knowledge of the future and thrust ourselves ‘vigorously into the intellectual battle’ once more.” ~ Zachary Yost

Classical Liberalism, Economic History

Adam Smith Takes Cancel Culture in Hand

– June 9, 2021

“By rejecting the controlling fist, we can accept the prosperity enabled by the invisible hand—Smith’s metaphor for the way in which individuals pursuing their own interests through ethical, mutual exchange leads to the prosperity that was not consciously designed by any intellectual. No person has that much knowledge. In short, it’s time for cancel culture to read some Smith. Instead of ranting on social media, talk to the (Invisible) Hand.” ~ Caroline Breashears

Classical Liberalism, International, War and Peace

Free Market Liberalism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

– June 8, 2021

“The recent 11 days of warfare between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has once more raised the issue of one-state or two-state ‘solutions’ to the over seven decade Israel-Palestinian conflict. In the long run, neither is a viable option outside of a politics of individual liberty and an economics of free markets.” ~ Richard M. Ebeling

Art and Culture, Classical Liberalism, History

The Ancient Desire for Freedom

– June 8, 2021

“From the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh to the cutting-edge work of today’s scholars, liberty has shown itself to always be unfinished business. Every generation has stories of struggle and wisdom to share on the maintenance of a free and open society, humanity’s greatest innovation.” ~ Ethan Yang

Classical Liberalism, Free Markets, History

Tocqueville’s Gumptious American

– April 28, 2021

“Some Americans still resemble Tocqueville’s description. And the description can inspire people to regain the ‘I can’ spirit. I mean people everywhere. Perhaps it is elsewhere, today, that one is more likely to see hungry souls—active, dedicated, but upholding the spirit of fair play and the rules of plain justice. May we everywhere grow the ‘I can’ spirit!” ~ Daniel B. Klein

Classical Liberalism, Crisis, Government

Common Sense

– March 24, 2021

“If we don’t get some common sense again right quick, the sort of revolution that Paine helped make possible with Common Sense might be next. Planned or not, American and global society has moved very far up the risk-reward tradeoff line, where Left, Right, and Classical Liberal think their respective goals are almost within grasp. But we might end up instead with no winners, just chaos, violence, and poverty.” ~ Robert E. Wright

Books, Classical Liberalism, Government

To Decline or Not Decline: Western Civilization’s Endless Nemesis

– March 9, 2021

“Judging by the many failed prophets of the past, neither are we this time doomed, from climate change or corporate takeovers or from cultural values and demographics deteriorating. That’s an explosively optimistic notion in a world otherwise flirting with madness.” ~ Joakim Book