Tag: ideas
Remembering Karl Hess on his 100th birthday
May 25, 2023 | Post
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the roots of contemporary libertarianism, its early flirtations with radical countercultural politics, and the outdated left-right political paradigm
What are the limits of ideology?
February 17, 2023 | Post
Ideology — that is, a system of beliefs that are baked into our perception of the world — serves important functions in human society. It can provide context to problems, foster a sense of belonging and community, and in some cases even inspire hope. But what are the limits of ideology?
Why does liberty work?
January 19, 2023 | Post
Advocating for liberty is both idealistic and realistic. What is it that makes liberty “work” in a way that central planning cannot?
What do libertarians and progressives have in common?
August 22, 2022 | Post
While libertarians and progressives perpetually remain miles apart on economics, the sovereignty of the individual, and the proper role of the state, we should not deny ourselves opportunities to build partnerships, make friends, and advance the cause of liberty wherever possible.
People say Putin is pragmatic; here is why they are wrong
June 23, 2022 | Post
Students For Liberty’s Director of Alumni Programs, Jorge Jraissati, gives his thoughts on the ideology of Vladimir Putin, its history, and its ongoing effects.
What’s with the self-identified “libertarians” on the far-right?
July 15, 2021 | Post
Self-identified libertarians have a variety of core principles, and different stressors can push some towards more nefarious ideologies, like the far-right
What Charles Darwin owes Adam Smith
June 16, 2017 | Post
The following is a lightly edited, slightly condensed transcript of the talk “Adam Darwin: Emergent Order in Biology and Economics,” presented by Matt Ridley at the Adam Smith Institute in 2012. I’ve called my lecture “Adam Darwin” to stress how congruent the philosophies of Adam Smith and Charles Darwin are. The common theme, of course, […]
Turn off the rage machine: Stop reading the news
March 9, 2017 | Post
We’re consuming entertainment, not insight, when we keep up with the news.
Anonymity and doxing in the 1787 ratification debates
March 7, 2017 | Post
The American founding generation had this crazy idea that ideas mattered more than who espoused them.
YouTube's Attempt to Protect Viewers From Controversial Opinions Will Backfire
September 9, 2016 | Post
YouTube is effectively censoring video content by barring videos that depict controversial subjects from collecting advertising revenue.
How a Few New Ideas Caused an Entire Group of People to Turn on Their Country
July 11, 2016 | Post
Much like us today, American colonists thought of themselves as a free people. They viewed governance through a lens called Radical Whig Theory, a political ideology stating that individuals within a free society must jealously guard their liberty and be wary of any government encroachment. The theory holds that freedom is hard to keep, and […]
Considering a Career in Ideas? We have a Fantastic Summer Opportunity for You!
April 5, 2016 | Post
Are you… …considering a career in ideas in order to make an impact on society? …looking to grow intellectually and wrestle with new perspectives as you move toward a full-time career? ….wanting to network with like-minded individuals who are equally excited about the big questions as you are? If so, you might want to consider […]
Campus Speech Repression is Nothing New
January 7, 2016 | Post
Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), pointed out in a recent essay that the threat to free speech on college campuses is nothing new. Proponents of political correctness have long sought to impose speech codes to censor the masses. In 2004, a University of New Hampshire student was evicted from his dorm […]
Transformative Trans Talks
November 27, 2015 | Post
The third and final edition of Trans Talks, a conversation with transgender economist Dierdre McCloskey, was released this week. This video describes some of McCloskey’s challenges as a transgender economist and highlights her speech at the Students for Liberty conference. “When you have equal dignity,” says McCloskey, “you get equal inventiveness; you allow people to […]