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Civil Liberties
Who’s Running for President in 2024?
The Lesser-known Presidential Candidates and Parties November 2024 will see the American electorate picking a new head of state. Despite low levels of approval, it seems as though the two major party candidates will again be Donald Trump and incumbent Joe Biden. I’ll cover them below, but let’s face it: You’re probably sick of hearing about them by now. Besides, they are not the only candidates for president this year; each party still has a few token candidates and there will also emerge third-party and independent candidates. Who are these people and parties with little to no chance
Civil Liberties
My Experience with Campus Climate at a Liberal Arts College
William F. Buckley famously authored God and Man at Yale in 1951. In it, he decried his alma mater’s overt efforts to undermine what he called good,
History
Debunking Putin’s Alternative “History”
On February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin commenced a brutal, full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Two years on from this calamity, let’s examine
All Learn Liberty Blog Posts
Free Speech
Defending liberty in the digital age: how useful is social media activism?
The power of information dissemination through social media networks is remarkable, with messages often going viral within seconds. Yet, it is essential to acknowledge that social media activism has its limitations.
Announcement
Spike Cohen: What’s next for the liberty movement?
In July 2023, amid the lively atmosphere of FreedomFest in Memphis, I had the privilege of sitting down with Spike Cohen, the Founder and President of You Are The Power and the 2020 Libertarian Party nominee for vice president.
Join me as we dive into Spike Cohen’s insightful perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the liberty movement today, offering a unique glimpse into his thoughts and vision for the future.
Government
Libya: a cautionary tale against interventionism
This month’s devastating floods affecting Libya have brought the country back to the forefront of international media. In the annals of international relations, Libya stands as a stark reminder of the perils of interventionism.
Philosophy
Five books to understand Objectivism
Whether you’re stepping into Rand’s world for the first time or revisiting these classics with fresh eyes, these books are your passport to exploring Objectivism and its profound implications for individual liberty, reason, and the pursuit of happiness.
Basic Economics
Globalization: a curse or a blessing?
For far too long, the fixed pie fallacy was the most widely held belief. When wars over resources were too costly to fight, society (not understanding that the ultimate resource is the human mind) went back to the good old trade wars of the mercantilist era. But something changed after the Second World War when Japan took a different path.
Free Will and Moral Responsibility
What Elizabeth Bennet taught me about liberty
Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, stands out because of her unconventional views on education and marriage, challenging the staunchly patriarchal society of Georgian England. Here’s what her story can teach us about liberty…
History
The philosophical journey of liberty: from Antiquity to the Age of Revolution
After its extensive development in Greece and (to a lesser extent) Rome, the notion of liberty was largely forgotten during the subsequent medieval era. During this time, a culture of intense military domination emerged, leading the European population to submit to regimes that caused a decline in both political and individual autonomy, and consigning ancient Greek democratic institutions to history.
Announcement
How Students For Liberty will free the world — with a hand from F.A. Hayek
Imagine a world where the principles of classical liberalism are not just taught but lived by every individual. This vision is not just a dream, but a goal that Students For Liberty (SFL) is actively working towards – and you can be a crucial part of making it a reality.
Civil Liberties
What Jordan Peterson’s failed court appeal says about freedom of expression in Canada
In a recent legal development that has ignited debates about the intersection of freedom of expression and professional obligations, former University of Toronto professor Jordan Peterson’s court appeal has been denied. What does this development tell us about freedom of expression in Canada?
Economics
Climate anxiety and sunk costs: flipping the script on ostrich solutions
By striking a balance between support and accountability, while respecting individual liberty and property rights, we can address climate anxiety in a way that promotes long-term resilience and responsible stewardship of our environment. Here are four broad suggestions:
Economics
Five myths about antitrust
Antitrust law will likely affect you personally, either targeting a company you patronize or even your employer. With big changes on the horizon for competition enforcement, here are five popular misconceptions surrounding antitrust…
LGBTQ
Why defending LGBTQ+ liberty remains an imperative
In a society that increasingly claims to champion progress and inclusivity, a recent tragic event stands as a stark reminder of the enduring danger faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.
Immigration
How immigration creates a more prosperous world
Immigration has been a huge driving force behind creating America as we know it today. Without immigrants, or with far fewer immigrants, it would be impossible to imagine the United States developing into the world’s dominant economic powerhouse as it did. Opposition to immigration has been allowed to gradually place the American dream out of reach for so many ambitious individuals and deprive the country of further potential in the process.
War on Drugs
Why (and how) the war on drugs has failed
In each instance, the state’s attempts to prohibit drugs not only failed but significantly worsened the problem. Prohibition created room for a monopoly, as drug traffickers who dared to maintain their production quickly took control of the entire market of the prohibited substance.
Economics
Harmful natural monopoly: the myth that keeps on giving
Understanding that it is governments – not free markets – that create harmful monopolies is monumentally essential in order to harbor a comprehension of basic economic principles.
Civil Liberties
Should libertarians support labor unions? Here are 8 resounding reasons to say yes
At first glance, the principles of libertarianism might seem at odds with workers’ right to unionize. However, a closer examination reveals that supporting workers’ right to unionize is entirely compatible with libertarian values. Let’s examine 8 reasons why…
Immigration
Uniting for Ukraine: How Ukrainian refugees are filling America’s labor void
In the vast expanse of North Dakota’s oil fields, a quiet yet significant transformation is taking place. Thousands of Ukrainian refugees have found their way to this unlikely destination, contributing to a workforce grappling with severe shortages.
While their presence has brought forth positive change, it’s astounding how this story remains shrouded in relative obscurity.
Let’s look at how the story of North Dakota’s newest arrivals and the success of the Uniting for Ukraine program shows the potential for a simplified and more open immigration process.
Ethics
AI, automation, and the future of work: Navigating, automating, and … terminating?
Welcome to a world where AI and automation helps to transform the job market in ways we never imagined, and maybe, just maybe, makes us laugh along the way (we’ll get to that part).
Basic Economics
Five books to understand Austrian economics
Ready to explore the fascinating world of Austrian economics? This article has got you covered! Whether you’re new to the subject or eager to learn more, we’ve handpicked five essential books just for you.
Censorship
Bill C-18: social media no longer a home for news in Canada
Under the guise of supporting local news outlets in Canada, Bill C-18 aims to censor all news outlets on social media platforms unless their companies offer compensation to Canadian news outlets for the news they provide.
History
The origins of libertarianism
Within the world of political spectrums, one ideology stands out for its axioms, principles, and ethics: libertarianism. It is a political philosophy based on the idea that the individual is the sole owner of oneself and therefore has the right to exercise their freedom without external interference, as long as it does not harm the freedom of others.
Economics
Happy Birthday Milton Friedman
In honor of Milton Friedman’s birthday, let’s review the American economist’s greatest contributions to the advocacy of free market capitalism.
Basic Economics
A history of money and the gold standard
The history of money is a story of human ingenuity and economic evolution. From the early days of bartering to the unfortunate establishment of fiat currency to a future rippling with potential thanks to cryptocurrencies, the concept of money has endured a wild ride.
Civil Liberties
Why are people in Sudan running for their lives again?
Leaders on both sides of the conflict in Sudan have inflicted political repression as they strive to maintain their grip on power. Activists, journalists, and civil society organizations face harassment, arrests, and imprisonment, effectively undermining their right to political participation.