Tag: history
Unleashing the power of rhetoric: how Deirdre McCloskey transformed the landscape of economics
May 24, 2023 | Post
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.
4 things you probably never knew about John Stuart Mill
May 16, 2023 | Post
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.
The Declaration of Independence says we have the right to overthrow the government
May 12, 2023 | Post
The right to overthrow a government remains an important principle to uphold, as it serves as a check on government power. It is a reminder that governments exist to serve the people, not the other way around. The possibility of revolution also serves as a deterrent against abuses of power and as a last resort when all other avenues have failed.
280 years later, here’s how Thomas Jefferson is still shaping our society
April 13, 2023 | Post
As we commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s 273rd birthday (he was born on April 13th, 1743) we could certainly remember him for more than one accomplishment. But one contribution in particular really does stand out.
A legacy of liberty: the Portuguese Liberal Revolution of 1820
March 29, 2023 | Post
Many are familiar with Portugal’s Carnation Revolution that brought an end to the authoritarian Estado Novo regime in 1974 and paved the way for democracy. Still, perhaps fewer are aware of the fascinating circumstances around the country’s Liberal Revolution, which took place just over 200 years ago.
Born from dissent: social movements and the case of Georgia
March 9, 2023 | Post
In Georgia, social movements have always been a means to democratically express discontent with the status quo. This is true once again in light of the new “foreign agents law”
Women’s History Month: Meet 12 women who’ve contributed to a freer future
March 8, 2023 | Post
This Women’s History Month, let’s take a look back at 12 remarkable women who’ve paved the way for individual liberty and a freer future.
Why some countries succeed and others don’t
March 6, 2023 | Post
Why are some countries successful while others aren’t? Is it down to natural resources, colonialism, or can it be better explained by something else?
The KGB still runs Russia and always has
January 18, 2023 | Post
The KGB still runs Russia. In its structure of power, the same organization that inflicted terror in Soviet times is still calling the shots.
Is social media a modern-day Tower of Babel?
January 6, 2023 | Post
As social media platforms use artificial intelligence to curate users’ feeds with the content they are most likely to engage with, this erects barriers to communication among people of differing opinions.
How gay pride is a celebration of liberty
December 23, 2022 | Post
Every time someone does not conform to what is attempted to be imposed on them; those people are celebrating pride in being themselves. That’s why gay pride is so special. It is resistance against those who do not love the freedom of others.
Is AI our generation’s nuclear fission?
December 20, 2022 | Post
Developments in AI, such as the recent creation of ChatGPT, can be seen as world-changing in ways that should not be taken lightly. However, it clearly has immense potential for humanity, so long as we choose the right path. What are the parallels between the advent of nuclear fission and the rise of AI?
Socialism: the failed idea that never dies
November 21, 2022 | Post
Why have socialist ideas become so attractive again, despite the fact that all socialist experiments, without exception, have failed over the past 100 years? The 2019 book by Dr. Kristian Niemietz, ‘Socialism: The Failed Idea That Never Dies,’ provides convincing answers.
Five myths about the Great Depression
September 27, 2022 | Post
The Great Depression is one of the most misunderstood periods in American history. Once you do a little digging, there’s more than meets the eye to this desperate time. Here are some of our top myths about the Great Depression:
Why democracy is good for liberty
September 15, 2022 | Post
There is a growing tendency among libertarians to attack the concept of democracy, and blame it for America’s problems. But this is reckless: we need to address the issues within our system and provide alternatives instead of burning the entire thing down.
The Gadsden flag: a historic symbol rooted in classical liberalism
July 29, 2022 | Post
Those who care about the ideas of liberty represented by the Gadsden flag must resist its co-option by forces that are completely at odds with what it stands for. The truth about its classical liberal origins must prevail.
LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland: a redemption arc
June 22, 2022 | Post
The redemption arc around LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland shows the possibility of rapid social change in favor of greater liberty.
The Prague Spring: planting the seeds of freedom
April 6, 2022 | Post
The Prague Spring of 1968 has a legacy that proved influential in the downfall of the Eastern Bloc a generation later, and continues to inspire to this day.
What makes Ayn Rand so significant
February 28, 2022 | Post
When we think of terms such as capitalism, individualism, or selfishness, one name comes to mind: Ayn Rand. But what makes Rand so significant?
Modernity is unthinkable without capitalism
February 2, 2022 | Post
Modernity is unthinkable without capitalism, yet Ayn Rand defined capitalism as an unknown ideal, one whose benefits people did not understand
Zora Neale Hurston: a genius of the south and anti-imperialist voice
March 30, 2021 | Post
Within and beyond her literature, Zora Neale Hurston was an outspoken anti-communist who opposed both the New Deal and interventionism abroad
How this screwy IRS policy kickstarted the American health care crisis
September 6, 2017 | Post
As a believer in small government, I usually favor anything that reduces taxes. But this tax break has wreaked havoc on American health care.
Highlights from our Reddit AMA with Professor Sarah Burns
May 19, 2017 | Post
Did you miss our recent Reddit AMA with Professor Sarah Burns of RIT’s political science department? You can find the whole conversation here, or check out some of the highlights below. Dr. Burns is a regular contributor to the Learn Liberty Blog, and starred in our series on America’s Founding. Adama82 Hi, thanks for […]
Reddit AMA with Professor Sarah Burns, scholar of the American founding
May 5, 2017 | Post
Sarah Burns is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Her research examines the intersection of political liberalization and American constitutional development with an eye toward policy implications for democratization across the globe. Professor Burns was featured in Learn Liberty’s America’s Founding series. She has also written on American history (1), American foreign policy (2,3), elections (4,5), […]