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Libertarianism: A Primer Paperback – February 4, 1998

by David Boaz (Author)

44 customer reviews

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Tens of millions of Americans, from Generation X-ers to baby boomers and beyond, are rediscovering libertarianism, a visionary alternative to the tired party orthodoxies of left and right. In 1995 a Gallup poll found that 52 percent of Americans said "the federal government has become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens." Later that year, The Wall Street Journal concurred, saying: "Because of their growing disdain for government, more and more Americans appear to be drifting—often unwittingly—toward a libertarian philosophy."
Libertarianism is hardly new, but its framework for liberty under law and economic progress makes it especially suited for the dynamic new era we are now entering. In the United States, the bureaucratic leviathan is newly threatened by a resurgence of the libertarian ideas upon which the country was founded. We are witnessing a breakdown of all the cherished beliefs of the welfare-warfare state. Americans have seen the failure of big government. Now, in the 1990s, we are ready to apply the lessons of this century to make the next one the century not of the state but of the free individual.
David Boaz presents the essential guidebook to the libertarian perspective, detailing its roots, central tenets, solutions to contemporary policy dilemmas, and future in American politics. He confronts head-on the tough questions frequently posed to libertarians: What about inequality? Who protects the environment? What ties people together if they are essentially self-interested? A concluding section, "Are You a Libertarian?" gives readers a chance to explore the substance of their own beliefs. Libertarianism is must reading for understanding one of the most exciting and hopeful movements of our time.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

P.J. O'Rourke America is a country full of people who feel personal liberty and individual responsibility in their guts. This book puts those guts into words. America is also a country full of politicians, academics, and self-possessed elites who mistrust liberty and responsibility ot the bottom of their souls. This book plants a kick in that fundament.

William F. Weld Libertarianism: A Primer is a bracing shot of 100-proof libertarianism guaranteed to render mute the last defenders of big, paternalistic government. With plain-spoken eloquence, David Boaz unveils a vision of America that has at its core an abiding respect for personal liberty and freedom writ large.

Dave Barry I hope everybody reads this book. My only concern is that, if we ever do wise up and dump the federal government, I'll lose my biggest source of comic material.

About the Author

David Boaz is executive vice president of the Cato Institute. He is the author of Libertarianism: A Primer (an updated edition to be released in 2015 called The Libertarian Mind), and his articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. He lives in the Washington, DC, area.

Product details

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Free Press (February 4, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 068484768X
ISBN-13: 978-0684847689
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 44 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #912,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2965 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Political
- #6493 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > United States
- #7699 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Ideologies & Doctrines

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Small government and big individual freedom? I'm in.

November 14, 2005

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

How refreshing! A political philosophy that puts its faith in the ability of people to accomplish things without the oversight of some gargantuan government. Boaz does a wonderful job of laying out the basic ideas of Libertarianism without getting at all technical.

Libertarianism espouses the freedom of the individual, harkening back to the bedrock philosophy of this country's founders. Boaz describes Republicans as your father - always telling you what to do because he knows best; and Democrats as your mother - wiping your nose and trying to do everything for you because you can't handle it. Libertarians, says Boaz, want to treat you as an adult.

Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it gives you a different perspective from which to look at today's most contentious issues. What you discover is that we assume a whole lot that we shouldn't - frequently what we assume in an argument about how the Government should handle something is that they should be handling it in the first place! Boaz and Libertarians argue that in all but a tiny handful of instances the answer is absolutely not.

Highly recommended for anyone who is frustrated with the current system and is looking for a more satisfying alternative, or for anyone who just wants another perspective on our system.

11 people found this helpful

Comment

Broad Reaching Treatise on Libertarian Thought

March 23, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

If you are looking to become familiar with Libertarian thought and philosophy, this book is one of the easiest and most approachable books in the canon. David Boaz writes for the reader interested in understanding the basis of Libertarian thought, the basics of Libertarian philosophy, and the tenents of Libertarian governance. Covering history, philosophy and modern/current issues and trends in big government, Boaz looks at the past, present and future of the state and the big-government policies that led us to our current condition. Pragmatic and practical, Boaz provides the reader with a strong argument for a Libertarian America in the 21st Century.

Comment

A good book for those who are curious, against or in favor of Libertarianism

May 23, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Quote from the book: "Libertarianism is the view that each person has the right to live his life in any way he chooses so long as he respects the equal rights of others."

Libertarianism is most often the subject of ridicule and mockery. It's a great straw man for politicians, since they can say "Give me half your cash or the Libertarians will take away (insert govt agency)!"

Despite the ridicule, David Boaz gives an excellent defense of Libertarianism. The book could have been written yesterday, since the predictions and issues remain important till this day. He shows us life before social security, welfare, medicare and public education. Much of the social safety net was provided by family, community and other private organizations. Bad decisions were limited by personal accountability. Almost all of the elderly had access to healthcare. And before public education, much of society paid for the education they wanted. As it turns out, government came along and began "providing" these services once society had made them ubiquitous and cheap via voluntary exchange. Although society back then was far poorer, it still managed to provide for those in need.

How can Boaz be so confident that society will rise up and provide these services without a gun to their collective head? Because government has inflated the costs through its inefficiencies. If Americans took home more of their own pay, in our current age of great material wealth, they could provide (or demand) these services for a fraction of the cost.

The book does not go so deep into any one subject that the casual reader will become very bored. Boaz is persuasive, humorous and positive about America's Libertarian future. I doubt even the most ardent government supporter could read this book without agreeing with much of the author's conclusions.

Overall, this is a great book for those who are curious, opposed or in favor of Libertarianism.

A favorite quote from the book: "As government controls more of society, who controls government becomes more important."

Comment

James Carpenter

Ideas whose time has come

July 8, 2006

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

In Libertarianism: A Primer, David Boaz presents the basics of this philosophy of freedom in clear, understandable, and compelling language. I recently read that over 600 Libertarians are now serving in elected office across the country, a fact that speaks powerfully of the disgust Americans increasingly feel with Big Brother in Washington. Read this book as an education in the liberties this country used to have, what has been taken away from us by both Democrats and Republicans, and what we can have again if we motivate ourselves to action.

5 people found this helpful

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Libertarianism - explained

February 12, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is an outstanding book, especially as a first read regarding a libertarian philosophy. Boaz not only explains classic liberal development and application of libertarianism to today's issues, he offers suggestions for addressing our present day loss of liberty and the unfortunate advance of socialism in America today. This is a much better source regarding libertarianism than "The Conscience of a Libertarian" (Root)and the solutions suggested are less radical, clearly thought out and more rationally adopted. I would also recommend "A Return to Common Sense" (Mullen) as a fine companion for this book.

Comment

March 19, 2006

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Well written and very logical. David Boaz states his case well but doesn't try to "sell" his philosophy. He provides a good definition of what a Libertarian is, and isn't. He leaves the decision up to the reader - are you a Libertarian? Many people hear the tag "Libertarian" and have a (negative) knee jerk reaction without understanding what the term "Libertarian" really means. These are the people who really need to read this book. Also, people who consider themselves Libertarians should read this book to solidify their philosophy.

4 people found this helpful

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