liberalism | Learn Liberty

Liberalism as a product: how to convince others that freedom is good

February 21, 2024 | Post

Liberalism is a great product, but it often doesn’t sell very well, despite spearheading the astronomical leap in prosperity over the past 200 years.

So, what are liberals getting wrong and how can they sell freedom more effectively?

Deirdre McCloskey: ‘The pursuit of freedom has unleashed unprecedented innovation, prosperity, and social transformation’

February 21, 2024 | Post

Deirdre McCloskey, renowned economist and advocate for liberal values, delivered a stirring address at LibertyCon International, captivating attendees with her insights into the importance of liberty in fostering human flourishing and societal progress.

David Boaz: ‘Fight illiberalism and authoritarianism wherever you find it’

February 21, 2024 | Post

At LibertyCon International, David Boaz urged the liberty movement to “fight illiberalism and authoritarianism wherever you find it.”

The awkward and uncomfortable problem with national conservatism

January 11, 2024 | Post

The recent surge of national conservatism in the United States has not only highlighted a departure from classical liberal principles but also raised concerns about a fundamental shift away from the values that have long defined American governance.

How (true) liberalism made us rich

January 4, 2024 | Post

Today, a hot shower or a cup of coffee brewed in seconds are completely mundane. A journey across continents taking mere hours is, for many, just a normal part of life. Yet, these marvels would have been the envy of even the most affluent in medieval societies, prior to a period we can refer to as the “Great Enrichment.”

Five books to understand classical liberalism

July 6, 2023 | Post

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.

The dangerous simplicity of polarization

December 12, 2022 | Post

We cannot claim to want a better and more tolerant world while simultaneously creating distance between ourselves and those with whom we disagree. To overcome the exercise in collective insanity that is political polarization, we must separate the politics from the individual.

Why classical liberals need a research program

March 28, 2017 | Post

The first task of classical liberalism is to understand social order; normative conclusions must follow and flow from that understanding.

The classical liberal case against nationalist immigration restrictions

March 26, 2017 | Post

If any part of liberalism needs revitalizing, it’s the case for liberalizing immigration. Nationalists on the left and right argue that easing immigration restrictions would make Americans worse off. During the Democratic primaries, Bernie Sanders criticized open borders as a “right-wing proposal” that would “make everybody in America poorer.” And of course Donald Trump is calling […]

Individual liberty for a diverse society: Public reason liberalism

February 27, 2017 | Post

Even well informed people of good will have very different religious, moral, and philosophic views.

The free society is an open society

February 25, 2017 | Post

A society can’t close itself off and remain free.

Immanuel Kant: Philosopher of Freedom

February 2, 2017 | Post

Kant was self-consciously an Enlightenment liberal who believed in limited government and maximum freedom.

Finally, a libertarian defense of identity politics

January 3, 2017 | Post

Identity politics, usually portrayed as a spectre haunting liberalism, is actually key to understanding uprisings against state power.

Liberalism reconstructed for a world divided

December 31, 2016 | Post

So 2016 is limping to an end with an assassination of an ambassador, another “inspired” attack on innocents at a Christmas market, and the formal election of a master crony-capitalist to the office of the presidency of the United States.