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The Declaration of Independents: How Libertarian Politics Can Fix What's Wrong with America Hardcover – June 28, 2011

by Nick Gillespie (Author), Matt Welch (Author)

54 customer reviews

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Everywhere in America, the forces of digitization, innovation, and personalization are expanding our options and bettering the way we live. Everywhere, that is, except in our politics. There we are held hostage to an eighteenth century system, dominated by two political parties whose ever-more-polarized rhetorical positions mask a mutual interest in maintaining a stranglehold on power.

The Declaration of Independents is a compelling and extremely entertaining manifesto on behalf of a system better suited to the future--one structured by the essential libertarian principles of free minds and free markets. Gillespie and Welch profile libertarian innovators, identify the villains propping up the ancien regime, and take aim at do-something government policies that hurt most of those they claim to protect. Their vision will resonate with a wide swath of frustrated citizens and young voters, born after the Cold War's end, to whom old tribal allegiances, prejudices, and hang-ups about everything from hearing a foreign language on the street to gay marriage to drug use simply do not make sense.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Marginal Revolution, May 20, 2011
“This is the up-to-date statement of libertarianism. Not warmed-over right-wing politics, but real, true-blooded libertarianism in the sense of loving liberty and wanting to find a new path toward human flourishing."

Washington Examiner, June 26, 2011
“An important book and lively read.”

Forbes.com, July 4, 2011
“A fun and ultimately positive look at how anti-authoritarianism, entrepreneurship and independence have led to one revolution after another in the way we think about the world, the products we buy, and the jobs we end up getting (or creating for ourselves)…. It’s a good book, a well-written, easily accessible manifesto on how libertarian ideas and anti-authoritarianism can help change the world, and how they will one way or another, whether we like it or not. Just as importantly, the book is uplifting, optimistic and full of energy.”

RealClearPolitics, July 5, 2011
"The Declaration of Independents is a refreshing political book in that it kind of, well, hates politics, and it's worth reading on this issue alone…. An important read with solid insight into today's political mess…. Gillespie and Welch are full of optimism for the future.”

Kirkus, May 5, 2011
"An enthusiastic, entertaining libertarian critique of American politics, brimming with derision for the status quo and optimism for the future and confident of the right direction.”

About the Author

Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch are the editors, respectively, of Reason.tv and Reason magazine. Gillespie writes often for the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, and is a regular guest on Fox News. Welch, author of McCain: The Myth of a Maverick, is a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times (where he used to work), the New York Post, Bloggingheads.tv, and talk radio around the country.

Product details

Hardcover: 264 pages
Publisher: PublicAffairs; 1st edition (June 28, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1586489380
ISBN-13: 978-1586489380
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 9.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
Average Customer Review: 54 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,045,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #897 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Elections & Political Process > Political Parties
- #2575 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Commentary & Opinion
- #2669 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Ideologies & Doctrines > Conservatism & Liberalism

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Customer Reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars

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Paul A. Salvette

Entertaining and Interesting, but not Profound

September 9, 2011

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I've been a long-time fan of Nick Gillespie & Matt Welch, and a reader of Reason for over a decade. The way they characterize what is going well in the world (e.g. decentralized culture, mistrust of the elites, savvy entrepreneurs) is somewhat inspiring in these rather depressing times. Even if you aren't libertarian, you will probably be able to appreciate their criticism of the US Government's boneheaded policies over the years, rampant corruption in Washington, and the fact that politicians are often the last to catch up with the modern era. However, I was mildly disappointed with some of the prescriptions to the ongoing malaise. If you've read Reason or Hit & Run, none of it will come as a surprise to you (i.e. reduce the size of the government, eliminate spending, etc.). From two muckrakers like Matt and Nick, I guess I had really high expectations. Heaven knows we need it now.

I respectfully disagree with some of the reviews here that Nick & Matt are being too snarky and hipsterish. That's the only way that US politics is even remotely interesting in my humble opinion. Their style of writing has paved the way for bloggers everywhere to hold our politicians accountable and with no mercy.

Declaration of Independents is a good book if you're interested in the libertarian point of view and why freedom in everything is important. However, don't expect a Jeffersonian silver bullet to our problems as the title implies. Politics is just too complicated and entrenched in every aspect of our lives to cover all the solutions in one book.

4 people found this helpful

Too important to stereotype!

July 2, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

It's not terribly surprising that the reviews are all over the map on this book. But the reality is that libertarianism is surging in this post-financial crisis world. The "Conventional Wisdom" has taken a beating in so many areas of life. "Low-fat diet"? "Anthrogenic Global Warming?" Look - there's a lot of people out there who want to tell you what to think, on any host of subjects. Brian Doherty gives us an historical perspective on those independent souls who have encouraged all of us to think for ourselves and not fall into the "issue of the day" that the political ideologues would have you fall into line with. It's truly remarkable how many memes that the "idea merchants" want us to believe are so important turn out to be just one more excuse for "central controllers" to try to dictate to the rest of us how to live our lives. This book is a fine example of the history of libertarian thought. If you're looking for a volume to share with your friends to help them understand that weird "libertarian thing" you're into - yes, this is an excellent resource. Are you the one trying to get a handle on libertarianism? Yes, this is a good resource for you too.

A Dangerous Book--for Our Political Parties

June 25, 2011

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I'd say this is probably the most dangerous political book of the year--for the Republican and Democrat establishment. The Declaration of Independents is a call to Americans to get past our historic political tribalism, stop defending the two major parties simply because we might belong to one, and to pursue our own happiness without interference from government.

I decided to get this book because I'm a big fan of Reason.com and Reason Magazine, and Nick and Matt. This book appealed to me because, like many Americans, I got tired of the expansion of government under Bush and Obama, despite their promises to cut it. If you're a fan of Obama and the Democrats, please get this book. Same to fan of Bush and the Republicans. Nick and Matt's treatment of each party is entirely fair; you will never come away thinking, "Wow, that was a cheap shot." There were a couple things in the book I disagreed with, but their arguments were always well-reasoned and sincere.

I especially liked the case studies and historical examples of libertarianism in action. The review of rock n' roll and the fall of the Communists in Czechoslovakia was fantastic. So was the example of Southwest Airlines and how it overcame government regulation and government protectionism in favor of already-existing airline corporations.

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in politics, whether you're Republican, Democrat, or Zulu. I wouldn't recommend this book to someone who just wants to read how great their party is and how awful the other party is--your head will probably explode. I hope after reading this book, more people are willing to declare independence from their political allegiances in order to get at the truth and expand our personal freedoms.

100 people found this helpful

Compelling case for a new kind of politics for the 21st Century

July 22, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

After the Republican and Democrat excesses of recent years, I feel that both political parties have deep flaws and strayed from their roots. What we need is a new kind of politics that is based on American values and ideas of independence and not dictated from "party leaders" in Washington. I never sought to identify with any party but Nick Gillespie makes a compelling case why Libertarian may be the only party for me.

One person found this helpful

A little too much preaching to the choir.

July 23, 2011

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Being a libertarian (small l), there was really not much I could disagree with in the book as far as content and message. However, I wished that the authors had done a little less preaching to the choir (those who are already libertarian) and a little more gently persuading those not already in agreement. There are lots and lots of people who would move toward libertarianism if they could read a book that lays it out in a user friendly manner.

The sentence structure of "The Declaration of Independents" was way too difficult for a book trying to appeal to the general public. Oh, the authors' are clever with a turn of a phrase, but it distracts from what should be their message. The book is chocked full of statistics, but not a single chart/graph appeared. I'm not for dumbing down information, but there is no reason to intentionally make the book hard to digest.

I certainly hope, "the future is so bright" prediction is correct. As a libertarian, watching year after year as the Repubs & the Dems keep growing government has been quite depressing. I am definitely ready to wear some shades.

7 people found this helpful

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