Libertarianism: A Primer

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.

Amazon.com 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?

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Best Political Book Ever!, 2008-11-25
This book is without a doubt the best political book of ANY description that I have ever read. Mr Boaz describes the libertarian point of view perfectly and totally destroys the opposing positions of Socialists and other statists. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for real, supportable political philosophy, free from the pipe-dreams of statist control freaks.


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Libertarianism: A Primer, 2008-04-19
Authoritative, comprehensive, and excellently organized, David Boaz's Libertarianism: A Primer is a pleasure to read and provides an exceptional educational experience in the philosophy of freedom.


3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Democracy does NOT equal liberty, 2007-08-08
David Boaz, of the Cato institute, has done much to advance the cause of libertarianism. This book is no exception. If readers only learn one thing from this book it should be this: libertarians are about protecting liberty, NOT democracy. Your freedom is your personal liberty which is protected by rule of law and not by the fact that we have democratic elections. Tyrants are democratically elected all the time. Rule of law means that rulers are subject to the same laws that you are. It means they do not have the power to change this fact once elected. Libertarians believe in preserving what our founding fathers fought to create, which is, incidentally, a republic and not a democracy. The truest form of a democracy is a lynch mob. True democracy means that if there are 100 people including you and 70 vote to kill you and take your land they can, because they're the majority. Libertarians are about protecting the rights of the individual, as an individual, not as a member of a group. As Ayn Rand said, you cannot pretend to advocate for minorities if you do not protect the rights of the individual, because the smallest minority is ALWAYS the individual.


1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Watch our country turn to libertarian themes, 2007-05-25
With the war on terror being what it is today and the expansion of government never stopping, Boaz's primer provides the reader with a clear consistent view about how the government should be run. By observing that Libertarianism is a political philosophy that allows us to make our own decisions and come to our own conclusions, without the government making the decision for us. After reading this book, you will feel that the government is more intrusive and damaging then ever before. If you follow the traditional liberal/conservative role, you should read this book and question your own beliefs. If you don't, then you truly are not comfortable with them. Look for libertarianism to play a bigger role in public policy in the future.


2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Very Interesting, 2007-04-17
Enjoyed it immensly, it prompted a lot of thought. I may not be totally sold on libertarian views, but it certainly makes one think about where change comes from and what government's true roll in it should be.

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