The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism (Hardcover)

~ Ronald Hamowy (Editor)
Key Phrases: public choice economics, social statics, individualist anarchism, New York, United States, Cambridge University Press (more...)

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Product Description

As a continuation of the older tradition of classical liberalism, libertarian thinking draws on a rich body of thought and scholarship. Contemporary libertarian scholars are continuing that tradition by making substantial contributions to such fields as philosophy, jurisprudence, economics, evolutionary psychology, political theory, and history, in both academia and politics. With more than 300 A-to-Z signed entries written by top scholars, The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism is purposed to be a useful compilation of and introduction to libertarian scholarship. The Encyclopedia starts with an introductory essay offering an extensive historical and thematic overview of key thinkers, events, and publications in the development of libertarian thought. The Reader’s Guide groups content for researchers and students alike, allowing them to study libertarianism topically, biographically, and by public policy issues.

Key Features

• Entries conclude with bibliographies and references for further reading and cross-references to related entries.
• Each entry provides an introduction to a topic or policy question relevant to libertarianism or a biography of a person who has had an impact on libertarianism.
• Editors take special care to ensure entries clearly explain libertarian approaches to issues, do not take sides on disputed matters or engage in polemics, and represent the views of all sides fairly and accurately.

About the Author

Ronald Hamowy is a Fellow in Social Thought at the Cato Institute. He is professor of history emeritus at the University of Alberta and previously was assistant director of the History of Western Civilization Program at Stanford University. He received his Ph.D. in social thought under F. A. Hayek at the University of Chicago. He is the author of books on the Scottish Enlightenment and on health care and the editor of a book on drug prohibition and the Liberty Press edition of Cato’s Letters. He is a member of the Mont Pelerin Society, an international society of scholars founded in 1947 by Hayek, Friedman, and other luminaries of the libertarian movement.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 664 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc (August 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412965802
• ISBN-13: 978-1412965804
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #395,127 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Composed of hundreds of informed and informative articles contributed by recognized authorities, October 9, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

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.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Encyclopedia of American-styled Libertarianism, July 11, 2009

By	Robert A. Williams "libertarian" (Oberlin, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.