Topic: Classical Liberalism

Art and Culture, Classical Liberalism, Education

Why Libertarians Should Admire Universities’ and Colleges’ Disingenuousness about Affirmative Action

– July 21, 2023

“I regard disingenuous efforts to continue the practice of racial and ethnic preferences to be the kind of noble action that libertarians should respect. The schools are simply making every effort they can to avoid the restrictions of what they consider an unjust law.” ~ John Hasnas

Classical Liberalism, Economic Education, Entrepreneurship

Do You Have a Right To a Yo-Yo?

– July 11, 2023

“In liberal society individuals aren’t tools for maximizing the performance of the economy. So the conflict should be resolved in favor of allowing collusion even though this resolution diminishes the marvelousness of markets. Individual rights trump economic efficiency.” ~ Donald J. Boudreaux

Classical Liberalism, Philosophy, War and Peace

Why President Kennedy’s 1963 “Peace Speech” Matters Today

– July 10, 2023

“Kennedy focused on humanity’s common interests — ‘we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.’ Most importantly, we all have minds that can value peace over threats and domination.” ~ Barry Brownstein

Art and Culture, Classical Liberalism, Philosophy, Taxation

This Independence Day

– July 4, 2023

“The entire political logic of constitutional government flows from the idea of negative rights. A government of limited constitutional power is possible only if the purpose of government is limited to protecting the natural rights of each citizen.” ~ Thomas Krannawitter

Books, Classical Liberalism, History, Philosophy

The Spirit Of ’76: Libertarianism and American Renewal

– July 3, 2023

“Until recently, we knew liberty without order was decadent and order without liberty was tyrannical. But many powerful and influential figures have decided this wisdom is obsolete because it obstructs their demands for ‘systemic equity’ or their desire to ‘own the libs.'” ~ Alexander W. Salter

Books, Classical Liberalism, Philosophy

Adam Smith Discovered (and Solved!) the Trolley Problem

– June 28, 2023

“Smith makes a claim about human sentiments that seems monstrous, but which is perfectly plausible: we focus mostly on ourselves.” ~ Michael Munger

Art and Culture, Books, Classical Liberalism

A Timeless Method for Resisting Tyranny

– June 27, 2023

“Neither tyrants nor apologists act with integrity. Developing our character by respecting the autonomy of others is a pathway to liberty.” ~ Barry Brownstein

Classical Liberalism, History, War and Peace

Juneteenth and The Greatest Anti-Slavery Movement Ever

– June 19, 2023

“Within two generations after the Founding, at costs in blood, sweat, and tears that most people today cannot imagine, the Americans abolished within the United States that ugly ancient practice that had existed for thousands of years elsewhere in the world.” ~ Thomas L. Krannawitter

Authoritarianism, Classical Liberalism, Economic Education

The Socialist Generation Debate

– May 30, 2023

“The information required to ‘calculate’ the correct choice literally does not exist until market processes are allowed to generate information about the relative opportunity costs of various resources.” ~ Michael Munger

Art and Culture, Books, Classical Liberalism, Regulation

Dr. Seuss, Philosopher Extraordinaire

– May 27, 2023

“It happens that, 75 years after Seuss wrote it, Thidwick turns out to be a good metaphor Western democracies.” ~ Bruce Rottman

Authoritarianism, Classical Liberalism, Philosophy

How Arrogance Threatens Freedom

– May 24, 2023

“Those who demand special treatment from impersonal, anonymous, and uncontrollable processes lack humility. They want credit for their achievements, and they blame others when their goals fall short. With such arrogance, freedom is indeed impossible.” ~ Barry Brownstein

Classical Liberalism, Government, Philosophy

An Approach to Teaching Rawls And Income Inequality

– May 11, 2023

“Far from representing an outcome chosen behind the veil of ignorance, political pressures will always be driven by full knowledge of the benefits realized by self-interested actors, even if they mouth formulaic invocations of ‘social justice’ while they do it.” ~ Michael C. Munger