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The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism

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Libertarianism is a political philosophy that is as diverse in its concepts and applications as are such companion terms as conservatism and liberalism. Knowledgeably compiled and expertly edited by Ronald Hamowy (Professor Emeritus of History, University of Alberta, and a Fellow in Social thought at the Cato Institute), the "Encyclopedia Of Libertarianism" is a 623-page compendium composed of hundreds of informed and informative articles contributed by recognized authorities and presenting points of view on libertarianism with respect to economic, social, political, philosophical, cultural, individual, legal, historical, and psychological concepts and issues. Beginning with an impressive introductory essay providing an extensive historical and thematic overview of the development of libertarian thought that includes its significant contributors, events, and publications, "Encyclopedia Of Libertarianism" is enhanced with a Reader's Guide groups content of value for students and researchers by enabling the study of libertarianism topically, biographically, and by public policy issue area. A seminal work of enduring academic value which is also available as an electronic reference work, the "Encyclopedia Of Libertarianism" is a fundamental contribution to academic library reference collections and highly recommended to the attention of students, political activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in political science in general, and libertarian philosophy in particular.

Ronald Hamowy's "The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism" is really an encyclopedia of American-styled libertarianism, or what Europeans refer to as 'right-libertarianism'. In over 300 A-to-Z entries, Hamowy's encyclopedia provides a sound overview of American-styled libertarian concepts, historical events, institutions, movements, and personalities that helped shape libertarianism and the way it is thought of in America. A wide range of entries cover American Libertarianism's historical origins as well as interrelationships with other political philosophies.

A general introduction by tax consumer and government employee Stephen Davies, the United Kingdom's expert on American Libertarianism, provides an informative background and general chronology. Entries include: Lord Acton, John Adams, Anarcho-capitalism, Austrian School of Economics, Conservatism, Democracy, Milton Friedman, Government, Floyd Arthur "Baldy" Harper, Friedrich A. Hayek, Left Libertarianism, William Leggett, Magna Carta, Karl Marx, Ludwig von Mises, Robert Nozick, Private Property, Leonard E. Read, Ayn Rand, Right of Revolution, Murray Rothbard,Socialism, state, and U.S. Constitution.

Not included are Paul Avrich, Walter Bagehot, Michael Bakunin, Isaac Deutscher, Maurice Brinton, and many other European libertarians. An explanation for their omission can be found within the entry for Left Libertarianism: "Left libertarianism is a fairly recently coined term for a fairly old idea. . . However, they differ from what we generally understand by the term 'libertarian' . . . The question arises as to whether left libertarianism is both coherent and plausible."

Actually, Europeans were using the term 'libertarianism' long before Leonard Read began using it on the American side of The Pond. 'We' Americans are the ones who differ from 'them' and what European libertarians have long held to be libertarianism, which is not what we Americans think it is. No doubt American Yanks were shocked to read what they considered to be 'communism' referred to as 'libertarian' in British publications during World War I and again during World War II. More historical investigation is needed on the origins of the American use of the term 'libertarian' during the twentieth century.

That said, this is an easy-to-read and sound reference for anyone, including scholars, to understand the birth and growth of the free market movement in America that came to call itself 'libertarianism'. I highly recommend this competent summary of the current state of American knowledge in Right Libertarianism.