Customer Reviews

For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'd been starting up my reading habits again in the past few months, but two of the books I had started were put on hold this week, when on Sunday the 4th, I picked up a book by Murray N. Rothbard entitled For a New Liberty.

The radical enthusiasm of the book is so exciting, I literally read all 419 pages in a personal record of 5 days. In the book, Rothbard hones in all the pieces connecting the modern Libertarian movement (as of 1972 when the book was first published at least) to his new Anarcho-capitalist approach, and the most striking thing was the consistency of the logic. It's solid. That's not to say that it shouldn't open to scrutiny, but that's precisely what Rothbard expects, and it gets me eager to catch up on the 35+ years of scholarship that's followed his manifesto, as well as specific predecessors that he used as examples.

The most important and most amazing parts of his book are how he explains most of the aggression and economic woes that we're experiencing today. It's not that he's a magician with a window into the future. It's that he understands the ultimate unattainable utopianism of supporters of stateism. From government bailouts to war quagmires like Iraq and Afghanistan, Rothbard not only predicts them, but explains why they are occurring, and the inevitable failure that can come from them, because it's the only logical conclusion.

The concepts espoused in For a New Liberty are gathered and encapsulated in virtual perfection by Rothbard, to expose a new generation of libery-minded individuals to the world that could be. It is so fierce, unapologetic and unrelenting in its logic, that this book, more than any I've ever read, makes me want to hold it as tight to my breast as possible, while raising my other arm and proclaiming Vive La Liberte!

You can't go wrong with Murray Rothbard but this book is just slightly dated. The Ethics of Liberty is timeless and fundamental. It can radically shake you into a stronger foundation for your advocacy of Freedom.
All of the issues raised in "For a New Liberty" are still with us. I am saddened that the Libertarian Party no longer follows Rothbard's theoretical purity. Theories like his, if used, have real-world applications that repay the practician.

Murray Rothbard has written 20 books, I've read 2, so I'm not in the position to compare "For a New Liberty" to his other work.
I bought "For a New Liberty" because I assumed that it was meant to be broad work on Libertarianism, ala "The Libertarian Manifesto" and in my opinion it accomplishes this well.

It's very clear, straight shooting book. Overall I think it's better written than anything I've read from other big name 20th century intellectual Libertarians like Ayn Rand, Fredrick Hayek or Ludwig Von Mises.
Reading this book my impression of Rothbard was immediately that of a extremely knowledgeable person.
This guy isn't just following a line of thought or stumbling in the dark looking for quotes to back up his knowledge, his brain is a Library.
I was reaffirmed of this personal impression of Rothbard when I read that some of his book drafts were nearly in final form at FIRST DRAFT.

I think this book makes a great introduction to Rothbard's brand of Libertarianism (Sometimes known as Anarcho Capitalism).
Make no mistake Rothbard is in fact a Libertarian in a strict sense, but a Libertarian that promotes stateless society.
Now days the word "Libertarian" seems to be wrapped up with the idea of actually having a government.
The core of Libertarianism is the belief/understanding of individual property rights. "Limited Government" is just tacked on fluff.

So there is only one way to tell if we are real Libertarians. This is the book. This book is not radical except to those who are kaffeeklatch Libertarians. As we read this book it clarifies what we were already thinking. It is just nice to see it organized and spoken about. Normally we do not mark up good books but in this case if our high liter does not go dry, we missed something.

One of my favorites is:
As we have seen, police service is not "free"; it is paid for by the taxpayer, and the taxpayer is very often the poor person himself. He may vary well be paying more in taxes for police now then he would in fees to privet, and far more efficient, police companies.
Well if we made it through the book, we are the real things.

If not you still have a chance to be radical and confuse everyone with "A Piece of the Action" by Louis O. Kelso. If you can't find it, then "Democracy and Economic Power: Extending the ESOP Revolution Through Binary Economics"


Conceived in Liberty (4 Volume Set)

Do you feel like there is something terribly wrong in this country?
If you want true Liberty, then this is a must read book for you.

Be prepared to have your paradigms challenged about what government should do. You'll no doubt also agree on much government shouldn't do. Plus, Murray Rothbard destroys many myths about the rest that you think government must do.

"For A New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto, 2nd Edition" is an uncompromising romp through a world of Pure Liberty. In the end, Rothbard illuminates a complete vision of Liberty toward which we can all strive together.

Note: some of the references in this 1978 book are dated in terms of technology, nominal dollar values and government issues. Also, many comments seem prescient in today's context, over 30-years later. Regardless, these shouldn't detract from the overall message of pure Liberty that Murray Rothbard so brilliantly delivers.

Although I've considered myself a libertarian since the mid 90's, I've only recently gotten excited to study Murray Rothbard in depth, and was uncertain if this book or his The Ethics of Liberty was the best place to start. I chose this based on the excellent reviews and comments posted here despite the caveat that it is somewhat dated (as it came out 10 years before his more philosophical Ethics).

Immediately I'm impressed by Rothbard's sweeping synthesis of history from a libertarian perspective. You may need to take his zealotry with a grain of salt (America's past is clearly NOT all a manifest destiny leading to a Libertarian paradise), but his conviction, consistency and clarity of thought is at least easy to follow. What I especially appreciate about this text is how it was his first opportunity to state the libertarian position (hence "manifesto") to a wider audience, and so it has a definitive air to it; clear and concise. What could be seen as "dated" as far as public issues/policies of the time it was written (early 70's), is just a good example of the application of basic, timeless libertarian ideals. It's really the same situation today, just a different debt crisis and different war... Rothbard's radical, uncompromising libertarian vision may not seem practical in today's America, but as a set of principled ideals it is meant to inform and inspire not micro-manage.

This book is essential for libertarians of all persuasion (while it specifically espouses a narrower purist idealistic form at the anarchic end of the libertarian spectrum), and helpful for others who want to know what the roots and implications of libertarianism are all about. Rothbard as an economist brings a sharp analytical skill to unearthing these basic principles and their consequences in practice. And it's refreshing to see his vision for a positive and orderly market-based, government-free anarchy.

"While opposing any and all private or group aggression against the rights of person and property, the libertarian sees that throughout history and into the present day, there has been one central, dominant and overriding aggressor upon all of these rights: the State. In contrast to all other thinkers, left, right or in-between, the libertarian refuses to give the state the moral sanction to commit actions that almost everyone agrees would be immoral, illegal, and criminal if committed by any person or group in society." (M.R., pg. 28)

(I'm amazed this isn't yet classified as treasonous!)

"The central core of the libertarian creed, then, is to establish the absolute right to private property of every man: first, in his own body, and second, in the previously unused natural resources which he first transforms by his labor. These two axioms, the right to self ownership and the right to "homestead", establish the complete set of principles of the libertarian system. The entire libertarian doctrine then becomes the spinning out and the application of all the implications of this central doctrine." (M.R., pg.47-48)

(Warning; this book will change how you see your world!)

I heard about this book on "Free Markets With Dr. Mike Beitler," a libertarian internet-radio talk show. I don't agree with everything Rothbard says, but Rothbard is challenging and entertaining to read. I would recommend this book along with Beitler's "Rational Individualism" Rational Individualism: A Moral Argument for Limited Government & Capitalism. If you have any interested in libertarianism, limited government, or free-markets, I would recommend both books.

As powerful as first written in 1973, Rothbard's stirring manifesto still radiates his unyielding optimism for humanity's ultimate triumph over tyranny, vanquishing all forms of statism and oppression.

This beautiful new edition is terrific.

To this point in my life I have never understood the meaning of true human beauty. That is to say, I never understood the depth of beauty capable in a single human. Until I read "For a New Liberty". As a self taught Austrian economist and lifelong anarcho-capitalist (before I even knew the term existed) much of the book was not new to me, but what was new was the depth of research and explanation, the pure unshakable commitment to the truest freedom of ALL humans put forth in such a clear and concise manner. I found myself frequently as I read, turning back to the books cover and looking at that silly white haired old man in a bow tie, and pondering how such an aesthetically unremarkable man could possess within him such incredible beauty. I am of the opinion that Murray N. Rothbard is among the most beautiful humans ever to have existed, indeed may even be at the top. My only regrets are not reading this book sooner, and not having been fortuitous enough to have known of, understood and possibly met Murray before he was taken from us. This world, and it's struggle for true human freedom, is truly a step behind with the loss of Rothbard.

There is more "Hope" and "Change" contained in any one passage presented in "For a New Liberty" than there could be in a million platitude and rhetoric filled speeches by the Obama's and McCain's of the world. If you haven't read this book, read it. If don't own this book, buy it. If you own this book, share it. If you have resources to buy more and share them, please do. As one who does not believe in copyright law, and I'm sure Rothbard would have agreed, the importance of this book and of true human freedom is far more valuable than money. Share your book freely, if you find copies from other presses (even though they may be regarded as 'illegal copies' by your state oppressors) share them. This book, and the very goal of our movement is far too important for us not to share at will.

It might change you too, if you pick it up and read it with an open mind.

The thesis of this book can be summed up as "libertarianism is a justified social philosophy and only it is capable of resolving our social problems in an economic and moral way." Other reviews can provide more detail, in fact you can read the whole book online for free if you know where to look and check it out yourself, or use the "look inside" feature.

Establishing that private property rights are ultimately justified, Rothbard tackles all the big issues of his day and our own -- war, the business cycle, environmental conservation, the public sector, welfare, education, personal liberty, etc. When he analyzes a problem and offers a libertarian solution, prepare to be have all your assumptions about the world challenged like you never thought possible, even if you are naturally sympathetic to the "lite" libertarian position of limited government. Rothbard does not pull punches -- only private property rights are justified, and therefore the government, which is intrinsically and institution that violates private property rights, is evil by nature and should not exist. The fact that libertarianism would be economically better is secondary to the moral issue. That is why this book is "hard"-core libertarianism and it is so valuable. (Most libertarian literature is grounded in economic arguments.)

That's the core of the book, essentially. For the remainder of this review I ask you indulge my personal story as to what this book meant to me when I read it -- perhaps that will produce a more compelling a reason to read it for some people.

This is the book that converted me to libertarian anarchism about 10 years ago, Before that, I was your typical minimal government "classical liberal" sort of guy. But in chapter 2, "Property and Exchange", I came across the argument that shattered my simplistic conception of the world and made me realize that no alternative to libertarianism is morally acceptable.

It wasn't that easy, of course. I grappled with Rothbard's arguments in my mind for a long, long time. I was figuring they were so radical they MUST be wrong, although the arguments were so clear and decisive it seemed oppressively difficult to say _why_ he was wrong. Eventually, I had to concede that Rothbard is, quite simply, correct on the issue of justice, and there is no honest way around it.

And this isn't even the hardest part! When it came time to face Rothbard's arguments on the superiority of PRIVATE COURTS and PRIVATE POLICE, I rather dogmatically assumed he had to be wrong. I could accept libertarian solutions to almost everything, being a classical liberal n' all that, but private courts? Private police?!? Come on... but even here, Rothbard is consistent where the classical liberal is not, and most importantly I found his arguments to be unassailable after long, careful, agonizing consideration. It is easy enough to agree that taxation is robbery, yet think taxing people to pay for socialized police services is legitimate just because "it has to be that way." But Rothbard attacks this inconsistency and demonstrates that socialized courts and police DON'T WORK, anymore than the post office, the Department of Education, or whatever, and government services are immoral anyway.

Needless to say, I am a Rothbardian now. People will say "Rothbard's solutions are impractical", which is simply false. What is impractical is the government, and liberty is the most practical solution of all. Not only that, but more important liberty is JUST. Let this book show you why -- it is the best introduction to libertarian-anarchism, along with another charming book by Dr. Mary J Ruwart called _Healing Our World_.