The Late Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Enlightenment bequeathed to the Western world two basic springs of political thought. Both emerged from a common source: the rejection of divine-right monarchy, feudal hierarchy, and the suffocating weight of hereditary...
Libertarianism
Ron Paul Cured My Apathy
by Karen Kwiatkowski | Aug 20, 2025 | Featured Articles, Libertarianism
Ron Paul has produced thousands of books, articles, speeches, debates, and smackdowns of truth reverberating through often empty Congressional chambers—the list goes on and on. Millions of people agree that Dr. Paul cured our apathy, taught us economics, inspired us...
Libertarianism and Metaethics
by Laurie Calhoun | Aug 19, 2025 | Featured Articles, Libertarianism
I was intrigued by a recent manifesto here at the Libertarian Institute, “Libertarianism Requires a ‘Subjective Morality,’” by Sean Dolan. The author boldly denies that libertarianism is “an objective, universal code that dictates right from wrong.” I believe that I...
TGIF: Immigration Control Threatens the Rule of Law
by Sheldon Richman | Aug 15, 2025 | Justice, Libertarianism, Politics, Sheldon Richman, TGIF
Immigration control strikes at the heart of the rule of law. That fact is badly unappreciated, even by some libertarians. If for no other reason, people who cherish individual liberty ought to be appalled by what the Trump administration is up to. Trump did not invent...
Immigration Control and the Rule of Law
by Sheldon Richman | Aug 9, 2025 | Blog, Justice, Libertarianism
If you think that immigration control does not strike at the heart of the rule of law, you need to listen to this: https://youtu.be/Ierrs3E3Qow?si=8Szi0YiuDfh7Xgte
TGIF: Socialist Confusion
by Sheldon Richman | Aug 8, 2025 | Economics, Featured Articles, Justice, Libertarianism, Sheldon Richman, TGIF
Recent polls indicate that many people under 30 view socialism and communism favorably. (For Marx, those words were synonyms.) It seems that socialism and communism are "in." What's going on? A self-described "democratic socialist," Zohran Mamdani, won the Democratic...
TGIF: By Right or Permission?
by Sheldon Richman | Aug 1, 2025 | Economics, Justice, Libertarianism, Politics, Sheldon Richman, TGIF
"Trump administration approves sale of CBS parent company Paramount after concessions" —NPR If the deal struck by Paramount and President Donald Trump sickens you, your intuitions and perhaps your principles are in good working order. Make no mistake about what's at...
TGIF: What Is Capitalism?
by Sheldon Richman | Jul 25, 2025 | Economics, History, Justice, Libertarianism, Politics, Sheldon Richman, TGIF
So, what is capitalism? The answer will depend on who's being asked. Language, like markets, basic law, and customs, is a spontaneous order. No one plans it. Words drift in their meaning in ways that probably can’t be fully explained. Language is a tool that people...