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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, American values such as faith, capitalism, and individualism. Today, I assert that institutions of higher schooling everywhere undermine — or fail to instill — other crucial values; values that underpin the very idea of higher education. In particular: appreciation for freedom of speech, academic freedom, open debate, and fearless, intellectual rigor. For more on freedom of speech, see Prof. Peter Jaworski’s Learn Liberty Video, The
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
Democracy and Voting
The Soviet Union’s terrible legacy on democracy and minority rights
From the series: Debunking Myths about the Soviet Union Since they first seized power, Soviet leaders have claimed their “democracy” to be
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Announcement
Five reasons why you need to be at LibertyCon International
Step into a vibrant world of freedom and possibility at LibertyCon International on February 2-4, 2024. Prepare to be inspired and challenged as you join a community of liberty enthusiasts who are changing the world!
Human Rights
Mises on immigration: setting the record straight
To set the record straight on the matter of liberty and immigration, let’s look to one of the most influential classical liberal thinkers, Ludwig von Mises, for guidance…
Basic Economics
Five books to understand classical liberalism
Ready to dive into the captivating world of classical liberal literature but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re new to the world of classical liberalism or seeking to expand your knowledge, these five books are key to unlocking a deeper appreciation of its core tenets.
History
The two ideas that made America
The American Revolution: That moment when we declared independence from Great Britain and created an unprecedented new society. While we all know the basic details, most people don’t stop to ask exactly why the Founders declared independence from a powerful empire.
Civil Liberties
How classical liberalism played a crucial role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights
Classical liberalism, with its emphasis on individual liberties and limited government intervention, has played a crucial role in advancing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community throughout history.
By advocating for principles such as individual liberty, reason, fundamental rights, and equal treatment under the law, classical liberal ideas have challenged societal norms, fought against oppression, and paved the way for greater acceptance and inclusion.
Lifestyle Regulations
The reality of the War on Drugs: one Alaskan town’s experience
The war on drugs has been an abject failure and has led to immense suffering. Here, we look at the experience of one town in Alaska…
Civil Liberties
A classical liberal perspective on the significance of Juneteenth
Juneteenth has long served as an occasion to commemorate and celebrate the end of slavery in the American South. What are the key points involved in America’s newest federal holiday from a classical liberal perspective?
Basic Economics
Why is Africa poor? Is colonization the root cause?
“Colonization is why Africa is so poor” is something I hear all the time. But it was not until recently that I realized: This impulsive defense of Africa is far from the full truth.
History
Debunking 3 myths about the French Revolution
The French Revolution is a pivotal event in history that brought significant political and social changes to France. However, there are many longstanding misconceptions surrounding this series of events.
Economics
It’s time to get rid of the tampon tax
Certain forms of taxation are simply unjustifiable. One especially problematic example is the taxation of menstrual hygiene products, such as tampons. Here’s why the tampon tax is fundamentally regressive and must be scrapped…
Equal Treatment Under Law
How Alan Turing’s tragic tale epitomizes LGBTQ+ persecution by governments
Alan Turing was an English mathematician, cryptanalyst, and computer scientist who played a pivotal role in deciphering intercepted enemy communications during World War II. However, Turing was later persecuted by the British state due to his homosexuality. His story epitomizes the persecution of LGBTQ+ by governments
Free Speech
A history of free speech in America
The history of free speech in the United States is a complex and fascinating topic, deeply rooted in the nation’s founding principles. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, protects the right to free speech, along with freedom of religion, the press, assembly, and petition.
Basic Economics
Don’t be fooled, life in the Soviet Union was awful
In this first piece of a series addressing myths about the Soviet Union, we will focus on the issues of poverty, inequality, and quality of life…
Civil Liberties
China’s authoritarian export: the technocratic menace and global ideological battle
The Chinese regime inherently rejects the ideas and values of individual liberty, meaningful economic freedom, transparency and human rights
Censorship
An assault on anonymity: the consequences of Vietnam’s new social media policy
In Vietnam, a new regulation will take effect by January 2024 requiring all social media users to verify their identities in order to use online platforms. This move is a blatant violation of the right to free expression and privacy.
Civil Liberties
How gun control might be seen 100 years from now
The book Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen was assigned to me during my senior year of high school. I still reflect on its lessons and have found them applicable not just to the past, but, in some cases, to the future. Here is how hypothetical, sweeping new gun control legislation might be seen 100 years from now…
Environment
Inefficiency and unintended consequences: why environmental regulations typically fall short
In an era marked by growing concerns about climate change, the role of government in addressing environmental issues has become increasingly prominent. However, as billions of dollars are poured into climate change programs and regulations, it is essential to critically examine the true impact and costs of these initiatives.
History
Remembering Karl Hess on his 100th birthday
Karl Hess is a figure whose political journey was more complex and revelatory than most. His journey is one that is worth retracing today as a means of understanding the roots of contemporary libertarianism, its early flirtations with radical countercultural politics, and the outdated left-right political paradigm
Economics
Unleashing the power of rhetoric: how Deirdre McCloskey transformed the landscape of economics
In a world dominated by numbers and equations, one economist dared to challenge the status quo and unveil the true power of persuasive language. Meet Deirdre McCloskey, a visionary economist, historian, and writer whose groundbreaking ideas have reshaped the way we understand economic progress.
Healthcare
Up in smoke: why new restrictions on vaping products are not about public health
Australia’s new ban on single use and non-prescription ‘vapes’ will stretch enforcement and health agencies, give rise to an already rampant black market, and force vapers back onto expensive and harmful cigarettes.
Education
Fixing education will take more than school choice
The topic of school choice policies continues to be a subject of ongoing debate, with varying perspectives on how best to approach the issue. Aside from the opposition of groups invested in the status quo, pro-school choice reformers disagree about how to design choice policies and the role of the federal government. Any policy that […]
Free Speech
The state of free speech among high school students
As reported in the New York Times in 2017, a Knight Foundation survey of nearly 12,000 high school students found that such students’ support for the First Amendment’s free speech protections is “stronger today than it has been in the last 12 years.” As far as it goes, this is good news given the avalanche […]
History
4 things you probably never knew about John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill was born 217 years ago, on May 20, 1806, and is remembered as one of the most foundational classical liberal philosophers and political economists to this day. Here are some things that you might not have guessed about John Stuart Mill.
Role of Government
Getting good results vs doing the right thing
Would you tell a lie to protect someone from harm?