The British Libertarian Review

Monday, 17 August 2009

The Revolution - A Manifesto - Ron Paul

The Ron Paul phenomenon is something we are unlikely to see over here in the UK. For those who don't know Ron Paul and his followers in the USA this book gives a great introducition.
Ron Paul, a conservative republican politician and former Libertarian Party Presidential candidate, has written a straight forward book that is appealing, entertaining and educational.
Now all you anarcho-capitalist types, who have a natural aversion to anyone who labels himself a conservative, please give the book the time of day. At the very least Ron Paul's manifesto, were it to be acted upon, could be considered a stepping stone towards minimal government, where-upon the anarcho-capitalist argument would win the population over to the removal of the state in total. OK I've not convinced you...but it is still worth a read.
RP's book starts with an explantion as to why no real debate takes place in the lead up to the US elections, why the important issues are swept under the carpet, and why it needs to change. The book's later chapters deal with economic policy including issues such as welfare reform.
As is the case with most Libertarian politicians, some of RP's critics say that his policies would leave poorer sections of society without any help. As RP and others such as David Boaz (see elsewhere for a review of his book 'Libertarianism') explain, there would be other organisations and individuals to aid those in need. RP goes on to say it would not be a case of just closing down all welfare safety nets in one big go. The book suggests that other areas of US economic spending would need to be addressed first. Changing the foreign policy from the current mess to one that includes bringing troops home and reducing the military spend etc would help.
A straight forward book, with little in the way of intellectual dancing around. Most of RP's case is basic common sense. RP also answers his critics accusations that he is an isolationist with some strong arguments to support his foreign policy stance - one that is based on the constituional approach to fair trade and no dodgy alliances.
Chalk this book up to a quick, informed and straight forward read.

Sunday, 9 August 2009

A re-read of Libertarianism - a Primer

I've just re-read Libertarianism - A Primer by David Boaz. My reason for reading this book a second time was as a part of my educating myself with the writings fellow Libertarians.
Although it was a second reading I still enjoyed the simplicity of the book. The primer is definately the sort of book one would give to someone who is wondering how Libertarianism is, in fact, more beneficial to those we live among and to those we do not know.
CRITICISM
Having read the book again I guess criticisms are inevitable. David's outline of Civil Society is wonderful, but surely Libertarians can choose to create families of choice not just those we are born in to. By this I mean we don't have the choice who are parents are, we do have a choice of whom are friends and perhaps our surrogate family could be.
All families, genetic or created, can be as supportive. To me David seems to feel that the more traditional path (the ma and pa genetic family) will somehow make society stronger and more supportive. He bases his arguament on the historical evidence that families looked after one another better than the state ever could. I agree, but I think how that family is made up could be less important.
I've spent a lot of time in communal households. Although the households occupants often deluded ourselves that everyone was equal and that everyone had equal opportunity to decide what was done, what food was bought etc, the reality was it ws usually the same people who performed specific roles in the household, we seemed to manage and support each other as a family of sorts. Of course the households I belonged to do not exist now, but I am friends with some of those people still and we can rely on one another if the need arises. I am not saying that communal households are a replacement for the family, but I am saying they should have equal status when they have equal responsibility. One tip to Mr Boaz, try not to fall into the trap of attacking single mums/dads. They are an easy target.
The poorer members of society have always been easy targets. It was not so long ago that poor parents were attacked for having too many children. I don't mean to claim social security, this was way earlier than that. The reason that the poorer families at the time had more children was they needed enough children to survive in order to support each other as infant mortatlity was a lot worse than it is today. Attack the system that fails them, attack the systems that seeks to trap them.
Having criticised some aspects of the book I have to say that the good far outshines the bad. It is a book to share with those of your friends who are looking for decent political solutions.

Thursday, 2 July 2009

Meltdown - a lecture by Thomas E Wood

Watching the Meltdown lecture by Thomas E Wood, based on his best selling book of the same name, I learned a lot of basics about the financial mess we are in and are likely to be in for the forseeable future.
Thomas E Wood explains the fundimental problems we have with the way the controlled market operates. His talk, given at the University of Colorado, goes into detail and examples of what is wrong and what can be done to see it doesn't happen again. Dymistification is the name of the game. The Authore dymistifies the arguaments put across by the established economic order that we are always going to suffer boom and bust because that is how market economics work - don't you believe it!

Watch the video by clicking here: MELTDOWN

Sunday, 28 June 2009

Libertarianism A Primer - David Boaz

Although more than a decade old this book is very relevant today. As a fairly new convert to the Libertarian philosophy I was seeking something that would give me a bit of a grounding in Libertarian concepts, history etc This book did just that.
Before delving into the details of modern Libertarian thought Boaz writes about the origins. For those who seek a simple but informative history lesson you'll find it in the first chapter. For me the observations, views and historical story telling were just what I needed, this may be down to my particular method of learning. Tell me a story and I'm a ready listener and learner.
For those that "get it" Libertarianism is a common sense. For those wishing to communicate Libertarian principals to others it can be a daunting task. Here in the UK, with our sacred cow, the welfare state, it can seem an impossible task to put up an argument to get rid of it. Reading this book will give you a basic grounding into the arguments for the demolition of such an institution.
Highly recommended.

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

A need for book and movies

The number of books about Libertarianism available in the marketplace is huge. When one is setting out on the the route to a political life based on Liberty, it is hard to pin down what books are must reads, and what are to be savoured for later.
Due to the fact that society is currently, and has for a long time, been run under the thumb of big government statist principals, including our system of education, there is a need for many of us to unlearn much of the rubbish we have been taught.
I am not talking about re-indoctrination in the same sense as the fundamentalists of the right and left espouse. This learning has to do with recognising that society can be run as it is, but it means our freedoms will inevitably disappear. It is also to do with recognising that society is crumbling around us because of our inaction and apathy.
The British Libertarian Review will highlight a few goodies that may help in rediscovering our freedoms.

Monday, 15 June 2009