Individualist
Anarchism v. Communist Anarchism and Libertarianism,
by Wendy McElroy, The New Libertarian, Issue #12, October,
1984. Among other things, this article explains the
connection of Individualist anarchism to libertarianism.
Excerpts:
"...in
the days of Tucker individualist anarchism and libertarianism
used to be synonymous"
"...the
word "libertarian" has changed due to the fairly
successful efforts of the Libertarian Party to associate
libertarianism with political goals and the political means,
both of which are anathema to individualist anarchist theory."
"More
and more, the goal of libertarianism has changed from dismantling
the State to joining the State and replacing the face behind
the desk of power as though it were the particular face
and not the desk -- the position of unjust power itself
-- that was the enemy. But to an individualist anarchist,
the enemy is anyone who assumes political power and anyone
who aspires to it."
For
a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto - by Murray
N. Rothbard (full, free, online text of the book). An
explanation of libertarianism from the perspective of
a libertarian who was an anarchist and a capitalist (an
"anarcho-capitalist").
Excerpt:
"In fact,
if you wish to know how libertarians regard the State and
any of its acts, simply think of the State as a
criminal band, and all of the libertarian attitudes will
logically fall into place."
The
Law - by Frederick Bastiat (translated by
Dean Russell). Reproduced by Mondo Politico with permission of
the Foundation
for Economic Education. Includes a handy hyper-linked table
of
contents.
Excerpt:
"If every person has the right to
defend even by force—his person, his liberty, and his property, then it
follows that a group of men have the right to organize and support
a common force to protect these rights constantly. Thus the principle
of collective right—its reason for existing, its lawfulness—is
based on individual right. And the common force that protects
this collective right cannot logically have any other purpose
or any other mission than that for which it acts as a substitute."
Does
Objectivism support Libertarianism? - Answers to
that question, comprised of quotations from the works of
the mother
of Objectivism, Ayn Rand. Compiled
for the purpose by the Ayn
Rand Institute.
Excerpt:
"I disapprove
of, disagree with and have no connection with, the latest
aberration of some conservatives,
the so-called hippies
of the right,’ who attempt to snare the younger
or more careless ones of my readers by claiming simultaneously
to be
followers of my philosophy and advocates of anarchism."
An Anarchist FAQ - An
excellent primer on anarchism, it demonstrates that the core
principles of anarchism are the core principles of libertarianism:
liberty
- the absense of coercion via the elimination of heirarchy.
Excerpt:
"...due
to the creation of the Libertarian Party in the USA,
many people now
consider
the
idea
of "libertarian socialism" to be a contradiction
in terms. Indeed, many "Libertarians" think anarchists
are just attempting to associate the "anti-libertarian" ideas
of "socialism" (as Libertarians conceive it) with
Libertarian ideology in order to make those "socialist" ideas
more "acceptable" --
in other words, trying to steal the "libertarian" label
from its rightful possessors.
Nothing could be further
from the truth. Anarchists have been using the term "libertarian" to
describe themselves and their ideas since the 1850's."
New
Libertarian Manifesto -
by Samuel Edward Konkin III. Anarcho-capitalist ("agorist")
theory, combined with a strategy and how-to guide for organizing
to
defeat government.
Excerpt:
"Externally,
the world-wide collapse of the "Left" has weakened restraints on the competitive segments of
the State who are rushing towards war to re-mystify their
restive
victims
with patriotism. Seizing the abandoned leadership of
the anti-imperialism, anti-war and anti-conscription movement
with
a fresh, invigorating,
ideological backing has become an opportunity for libertarians
to become the Left."
Frequently Asked
Questions About Libertarianism - compiled and
published by the Advocates
for Self-Government, this FAQ
provides answers to many of the issue-oriented questions
that are put to libertarians (e.g., what is the libertarian
position on the draft? on taxes? etc.).
Excerpt:
"I'm
for cutting taxes, but as a practical matter, how do
we do it?
Think of government as a conglomerate of service businesses.
The providers of those services do not have to be government
employees, and the services do not have to be paid for
with tax dollars. Whether it is education, security,
transportation, charity,
energy, or whatever, the private sector is already doing
it for less."
Do you know of other high-quality written works
related to libertarianism, or of interest to libertarians, that
are available on the web? Send your suggestions to contact@mondopolitico.com.
|
