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by
Jason Brennan
(Author)
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Historically, Americans have seen libertarians as far outside the mainstream, but with the rise of the Tea Party movement, libertarian principles have risen to the forefront of Republican politics. But libertarianism is more than the philosophy of individual freedom and unfettered markets that Republicans have embraced. Indeed, as Jason Brennan points out, libertarianism is a quite different―and far richer―system of thought than most of us suspect. In this timely new entry in Oxford's acclaimed series What Everyone Needs to Know, Brennan offers a nuanced portrait of libertarianism, proceeding through a series of questions to illuminate the essential elements of libertarianism and the problems the philosophy addresses, including such topics as the Value of Liberty, Human Nature and Ethics, Economic Liberty, Civil Rights, Social Justice and the Poor, Government and Democracy, and Contemporary Politics. Brennan asks the most fundamental and challenging questions: What do Libertarians think liberty is? Do libertarians think everyone should be selfish? Are libertarians just out to protect the interests of big business? What do libertarians think we should do about racial injustice? What would libertarians do about pollution? Are Tea Party activists true libertarians? As he sheds light on libertarian beliefs, Brennan overturns numerous misconceptions. Libertarianism is not about simple-minded paranoia about government, he writes. Rather, it celebrates the ideal of peaceful cooperation among free and equal people. Libertarians believe that the rich always capture political power; they want to minimize the power available to them in order to protect the weak. Brennan argues that libertarians are, in fact, animated by benevolence and a deep concern for the poor. Clear, concise, and incisively written, this volume explains a vitally important philosophy in American history―and a potent force in contemporary politics.
- ISBN-10019993391X
- ISBN-13978-0199933914
- Edition1st
- Publication date31 January 2013
- LanguageEnglish
- Print length232 pages
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Product description
Review
a highly accessible primer to libertarian thought ... Recommended. ― R.J. Meagher, CHOICE
About the Author
Jason Brennan is Assistant Professor of Ethics, Economics, and Public Policy at Georgetown University. He is the author of The Ethics of Voting and co-author of A Brief History of Liberty. He also writes for the popular blog Bleeding Heart Libertarians.
Product details
- Language : English
- Paperback : 232 pages
- ISBN-10 : 019993391X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0199933914
- Customer reviews:
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
26 global ratings
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Top reviews from other countries

Christine Crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 21 May 2017Verified Purchase
Great book easy to read and understand
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stpleco
5.0 out of 5 stars
easy to
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 24 November 2015Verified Purchase
Very accessible, easy to read

Pepper
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Introductory book to Libertarianism for Laypeople
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on 7 June 2014Verified Purchase
If you're a layperson, this is the absolute best introduction to libertarianism. It is very sensitive to common sense views and worries, so it is very convincing and presents libertarianism (rightly so) in a very nice light. It is able to address everyday worries about libertarianism, and corrects many misconceptions. Jason Brennan is the best Bleeding Heart Libertarian there is. His writing is clear and powerful, and is one of the few, unapologetic libertarians there are from the Arizona School.
I wish there were a little less talk about mainstream politics, but I'll let it pass since this book is made for the curious layperson who probably isn't acquainted with the deep philosophical side, but knows a thing or two about politics and keeps up with current events.
I wish there were a little less talk about mainstream politics, but I'll let it pass since this book is made for the curious layperson who probably isn't acquainted with the deep philosophical side, but knows a thing or two about politics and keeps up with current events.
One person found this helpful
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Robert W. McGee, author of Justifiable Homicide: A Political Thriller
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good introduction to the libertarian philosophy
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 27 July 2022Verified Purchase
This book provides a good introduction to the Libertarian philosophy. Good for both beginners and for those who have more than a passing knowledge of this subfield of political philosophy. It would make a good supplementary text for political science and philosophy classes, and would provide a pleasant alternative to the biases and indoctrination that is found in many university classes.

coltrane
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Condensed, Straightforward Intro. to Libertarianism
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 17 April 2014Verified Purchase
In Libertarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know, Jason Brennan offers a clear, straightforward, and readable introduction to the libertarian political perspective, carefully acknowledging along the way the range of differing opinions held by libertarians on key issues (with an exception, see below). The book is written in an easily referenceable question-and-answer format, and is divided by topic. The chapters and even individual questions can be consulted in any order, independently of the rest of the book. To this end, in the course of answering a particular question, Brennan helpfully cites other places in the book that give a more in-depth look at something perhaps only briefly mentioned. The author can be commended as well for often introducing anti-libertarian perspectives or objections without providing any direct libertarian rebuttal. In this way, the book serves to familiarize the reader with both the libertarian viewpoint on various political, social, and economic topics as well as common rejoinders or alternative takes from non- or anti-libertarians. Brennan deftly wields thought experiments and examples to illustrate how otherwise abstract ideas can be practically applied. On the negative side, I would like to have seen footnotes with explicit references included throughout the book. For example, Brennan cites many studies, statistics, and ideas directly, and although he sometimes gives the reader enough information to go off of in their own search, the sheer number of such instances leaves this reader desiring the inclusion of footnotes to assist in locating these. However, Brennan provides an excellent selection of texts and articles for further reading at the end of the book, divided into specific subcategories. Additionally, a helpful glossary of terms often employed in political philosophy can be found at the back of the book. The only critique I might give content-wise has to do with the matter-of-fact way that Brennan writes of libertarians as advocates for women's abortion rights. As I understand it, libertarians are nearly as divided as the country as a whole on the issue of abortion choice. In any case, at least a passing mention of a broadly "pro-life" libertarian perspective (cf. the website "Libertarians for Life" at l4l.org) could have been included. Despite this little nitpick of mine, the book is a solid presentation of libertarianism, and one that is much needed given the typical straw-manning that occurs in both ordinary and even professional political discourse. Thus, Brennan's distinction between classical liberal, hard libertarian, and neoclassical liberal perspectives is useful in addition to his general way of dispensing with caricatures along the way. I would highly recommend this book to any non-libertarians who are interested in truly understanding the position as well as anyone who has newly identified themselves with libertarianism.
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