Libertarianism: A Primer - Hardcover

David Boaz

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0684831988 ISBN 13: 9780684831985

Publisher: Free Press, 1997

Synopsis

Details libertarianism's roots, central tenets, solutions to contemporary policy dilemmas, and future in American politics

About this title

Review:

Libertarianism used to be just a topic at your high school Government Club. But since all those Ayn Rand-niks are now in Congress, it's become a bigger deal. This book is an admirably clear exposition of the position--defined by David Boaz as "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"--which is useful to both adherents and those who merely want to "know the enemy." Of course, a lot of questions are left unanswered: Do I have to obey speed limits? Is it OK for me to drive on the left as long as I promise to swerve when I see you coming? Aren't there a lot of valuable enterprises that couldn't be achieved by individual effort alone, but only with a degree of government compulsion, including the federal highway system, public parks, and public libraries?

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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Free Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0684831988
• ISBN 13: 9780684831985
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 314