ipl-logo

The Libertarian Mind By David Boaz: An Analysis

1328 Words6 Pages

Unfortunately, most centuries have two very distinct and popular political ideologies that are often polarizing. For example, early 19th-century politics was heavily argued from a communist or capitalist perspective (Parks). It’s clear that this century’s distinct and conflicting political ideologies are libertarianism and social democracy (Boaz). In, The Libertarian Mind, David Boaz discusses the themes of individualism and free market economies that are associated with a libertarian nation. Which, are arguably more attractive than the overbearing authority often associated with a social democracy.
What is a social democracy? Typically, a social democracy is referred to the combination of capitalism and socialism. For example, the private …show more content…

Typically, being a libertarian means to be socially liberal and fiscally conservative or you support economic and social freedoms (parks). More specifically, what does it mean to be a libertarian according to David Boaz? According to David Boaz, to be a libertarian means to be an advocate for freedom because “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 (6).” He characterizes libertarianism as “indispensable”, an indispensable framework for the future because it has limitless possibilities for all individuals (374).
Although the current political debate is between libertarianism and social democracies, the philosophy of libertarianism is not new. In fact, the philosophy and its philosophers, John Locke. Specifically, influenced the philosophy behind movements like the American Revolution (3). Which, then led to the creation of documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of …show more content…

The themes are individualism, individual rights, spontaneous order, the rule of law, limited government, free markets, the virtue of production, natural harmony of interests, and peace (26-29). One of the most attractive qualities of libertarianism is individualism. There is a clear appreciation of individual creativity and the ability of individuals to act autonomously throughout the book (118-121). In fact, philosopher Immanuel Kant, who Boaz often refers to, believes individuals are capable of acting freely (autonomously) and capable of reason

Show More
Related
540 Words | 3 Pages

The foundation and nature of the American government has been greatly inspired by political philosophers. Forrest McDonald analyzes the ideas of these philosophers in chapter three of "The American Presidency: An Intellectual History. " Of all the political philosophers, John Locke contributed the most ideas that we're put to use by the framers of the American government. Locke writes the "Two Treatises of Government", which is later studied by the framers and influences their prospective towards the creation of the Constitution. Throughout writing the Constitution, the framers acknowledge significant ideas introduced by John Locke.

Read More
322 Words | 2 Pages

The rights of “life, liberty, health, and possessions” are an essential key in having a balanced life. The Two Treatises on Government written by John Locke, influenced most ideas in the Declaration of Independence and The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This document influenced Enlightenment ideas such as religious toleration, the sovereignty of the people, press freedom, the right to rebel, and no taxation without representation. These documents helped create a better society in the word today.

Read More
1870 Words | 8 Pages

The main idea is that the civil society should be governing itself. In other words, there is a fundamental belief in individual freedom. Classical liberalism holds the view that the people have natural rights and these rights are separate from government. This view is opposite towards the general opinion where the government grants rights. It is a time of scientific revolutions and the time when the power of Catholic Church had no longer the same type of power as before.

Read More
418 Words | 2 Pages

And well being of general public and provisions of the welfare state. Social democracy aims to create conditions for capitalism to lead to greater democratic solidarity. They have motive to help the general public regardless of their income and background they have key values which they follow which make them what

Read More
479 Words | 2 Pages

John Locke was the first to create this idea of liberalism. Locke’s views influence the many important people during the American Revolution. As we can see liberalism can be seen in the American Revolution. From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison we see liberal beliefs throughout the revolution.

Read More
729 Words | 3 Pages

Name- Abel Kebede Date- 12/02/2017 Course-Philosophy The Defense of Anarchism Anarchism believes in autonomy, self-governance. It regards a state has no right in imposing rules and regulations on individual’s free choice and actions and argue that the individuals have a right to govern themselves. Prominent philosophers who have supported this view are Benjamin Tucker and Henery Thoreau, however, in this essay, I will be arguing against Robert Paul’s the defense of anarchism.

Read More
1002 Words | 5 Pages

John Locke was a philosopher and political scientist. He had many interests and produced a number of writings that influenced future leaders. One of these leaders was Thomas Jefferson, who was involved with the aid of America and the act gaining independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence and Locke’s views on government contain many similar aspects. These ideas includes the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (natural rights); the protection that is provided by the government for these rights; and the altering or abolishment of government if it fails to provide and protect the rights of the people.

Read More
556 Words | 3 Pages

Well I 'll be talking about in this paper in the accompanying request. To start with I will discuss determismm, then I will discuss Metaphysical libertarianism, third

Read More
1533 Words | 7 Pages

Libertarianism is here and there blamed for being inflexible and narrow-minded, yet it is in truth simply an essential structure for social orders in which free people can live in peace, what Jefferson called "their own quest for industry and change. " what The general public made by a libertarian system is the most powerful and inventive at any point seen on earth, the phenomenal advances in science, innovation, and way of life since the liberal transformation of the late eighteenth century. Libertarianism is additionally an inventive and dynamic system for action. Today it is statist thoughts that appear to be old and tired, while there is a blast of libertarian ideas that the public sees as innovative and new.

Read More
1084 Words | 5 Pages

Introduction: While freedom as a concept feels fairly intuitive, nuances in interpretation can change the basis of an argument. John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government and Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America do not define liberty in precisely the same way, which in turn guides two different visions in how a government should function. When examining a core concept in an argument, it is important to inquire to whether its treatment is adequate. Is either definition of liberty sufficient, and does either author’s envisioned government adequately address liberty in that system? This paper will argue that Locke’s definition of liberty remains in the literal sphere while Tocqueville’s is more conceptual, but neither Locke’s nor Tocqueville’s

Read More
1053 Words | 5 Pages

As such, authors structure their idea of an undesirable government with the concept of restrained individuality and the overall dehumanization of its citizens. The worth of an individual is something prized by authors, and it is there where they tend to follow Kant’s ideology, reflecting his view on the value of the possession of “rationality,” acknowledging that to deprive one of it is an action which is actively wrongful (Kant, 1). As aforementioned, dystopian law and authority dictates for the individual to strip himself of his identity and autonomy, directly going against the Categorical Imperative. A free mind is one which has power over itself, and is given a choice to agree or disagree. Dystopian societies often neglect this, whether it be by thought control or outright violence.

Read More
832 Words | 4 Pages

John Locke and John Stuart Mill’s dilemma in swimming to the islands of Fatherland and Bourgeouseville demand them to consider several key elements of each civilization. Each societies attitudes towards A fundamental element for Locke and Mill to consider in their decision, is the core purpose of government on each island, and the impact these different goals have on each civilization. The role of government in Fatherland, which is a Fascist regime, reflects the Fascist emphasis on government involvement in the lives of its people. In Benito Mussolini’s “The Doctrine of Fascism”, he describes the Fascist state as “the highest and most powerful form of personality, is a force, but a spiritual force, which takes over all the forms of moral and intellectual life of a man.” (pg.

Read More
999 Words | 4 Pages

Two Concepts of Liberty Summary of the essay: In this essay, the famous political theorist Isaiah Berlin tries to differentiate between the notions of positive liberty and negative liberty. Berlin briefly discusses the meaning of the word ‘freedom’. He says that a person is said to free when no man or body of men interferes with his activity. He makes reference to many philosophers in the essay, but there is more emphasis on the thoughts of J. S. Mill and Rousseau, the former being a firm advocate of negative liberty while the latter believes strongly in the ideals of positive liberty.

Read More
1740 Words | 7 Pages

Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau have become known as three of the most prominent political theorists in the world today. Their philosophies and innovative thinking is known worldwide and it has influenced the creation of numerous new governments. All three thinkers agree on the idea of a social contract but their opinions differ on how the social contract is established and implemented within each society. These philosophers state, that in order for the social contract to be successful people need to give up certain freedoms in order to secure fundamental protections from the state, henceforth the state then has certain responsibilities to their citizens. Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau all believe that before men were governed we all lived in a state of nature.

Read More
1057 Words | 5 Pages

An Austrian philosopher Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner had gained recognition in the nineteenth century for publishing his philosophical works including “The Philosophy of Freedom”. His works address the question to which extent a man is said to be free. The first part of his work mentions Freedom in human thinking which is the most essential with respect to this topic. The second part of his works include conditions necessary for freedom of action, that is, external causality and its results. He also includes ethical individualism which is a part of moral philosophy.

Read More

More about The Libertarian Mind By David Boaz: An Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document