Libertarianism

What Does It Mean to Be Free?

by Jacob G. Hornberger February 1, 2014

Johann von Goethe once wrote, “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” Goethe’s statement perfectly captures the plight of the American people in our time. That’s one of the principal challenges that we libertarians face, for if people are convinced they’re free, they have no incentive to break free of their servitude. Even ...

One Moral Standard for All

by Sheldon Richman February 1, 2014

Libertarians make a self-defeating mistake in assuming that their fundamental principles differ radically from most other people’s principles. Think how much easier it would be to bring others to the libertarian position if we realized that they already agree with us in substantial ways. What am I talking about? It’s quite simple. Libertarians believe that the initiation of force is ...

The Libertarian Angle: Gun Control

by Future of Freedom Foundation January 27, 2014

Jacob Hornberger and Sheldon Richman discuss the recent shooting a Maryland mall and the ensuing calls for gun control. The Libertarian Angle airs weekly.

The Libertarian Angle: Obama and the NSA

by Future of Freedom Foundation January 21, 2014

Jacob Hornberger and Sheldon Richman discuss the President Obama's planed "reform" of the NSA. The Libertarian Angle airs weekly.

The Classical Liberal legacy of Percy Bysshe Shelley

by Wendy McElroy January 1, 2014

“I have deserted the odorous gardens of literature to journey across the great sandy desert of Politics.” In this manner, the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) announced a political treatise entitled A Philosophical View of Reform (1819). It states, “The first principle of political reform is the natural equality of men, not with relation to their property ...

The Libertarian Angle: The Postal Monopoly

by Future of Freedom Foundation December 30, 2013

Jacob Hornberger and Sheldon Richman discuss the postal monopoly. The Libertarian Angle airs weekly.

The Libertarian Angle: Victims of the Warfare-Welfare State

by Future of Freedom Foundation December 23, 2013

Jacob Hornberger and Sheldon Richman discuss how a socialist economy and an imperialistic foreign policy impacts the citizenry. The Libertarian Angle airs weekly.

FFF Webinar: Common Libertarian Missteps (video)

by Sheldon Richman December 17, 2013

On December 11, 2013, FFF vice president and editor Sheldon Richman hosted a free, interactive online webinar entitled “Common Libertarian Missteps.” The video above is presents Sheldon's slides and the accompanying conversation with participants.

The Libertarian Angle: The Welfare State

by Future of Freedom Foundation December 9, 2013

Jacob Hornberger and Sheldon Richman discuss welfare in the U.S. The Libertarian Angle airs weekly.

Defending the Really Undefendable

by Laurence M. Vance November 19, 2013

Back in 1976, economist Walter Block, now of Loyola University in New Orleans, wrote a provocative book titled Defending the Undefendable. In it he famously defended the “pimp, prostitute, scab, slumlord, libeler, moneylender, and other scapegoats in the rogues’ gallery of American society.” Now, Block was not recommending that anyone engage in those occupations or arguing that they ...

The Libertarian Angle: The Healthcare Disaster

by Future of Freedom Foundation November 18, 2013

Jacob Hornberger and Sheldon Richman on the Obamacare debacle. The Libertarian Angle airs weekly.  

The Libertarian Angle: On the Road College Tour

by Future of Freedom Foundation November 11, 2013

Jacob Hornberger and Sheldon Richman on monetary policy. The Libertarian Angle airs weekly.