Tag: role of government
Public Works
August 9, 2024 | Post
In his 1850 essay, Frédéric Bastiat discusses the notion of “Public Works.” He explains that public works like opening roads, building palaces, and repairing streets create jobs and boost the economy in the short term, but they take away unseen opportunities in the long run.
This Halloween, let’s look back at 6 scary incidents created by the COVID lockdowns
October 31, 2023 | Post
This Halloween, let’s look back at some terrifying incidents from the recent past that should not be forgotten. For the best part of two years, beginning in March 2020, attempts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic involved governments around the world seizing new powers and further expanding the scope of the state.
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.
How gun control might be seen 100 years from now
June 1, 2023 | Post
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…
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.
The tragedy of the commons explained
April 13, 2023 | Post
The tragedy of the commons is a concept that describes the depletion or degradation of shared resources that are not owned or managed by any individual or group. It occurs when multiple individuals, each pursuing their own ends, overuse or exploit a shared resource to the point of depletion, resulting in harm to all users of that resource in the long run.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the changing role of government
March 24, 2023 | Post
Alongside economic devastation and a mental health crisis, another legacy of lockdowns will be changed perceptions of the role of government
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?
7 shocking incidents created by lockdown restrictions
September 9, 2021 | Post
Lockdown restrictions have disrupted normal life and led to to a range of shocking and bizarre incidents and developments as governments take on new powers
Breaking the wheel of Westeros: why heroes aren't enough
August 25, 2017 | Post
As much as we love Daenerys and Jon, they and their real-world counterparts are unlikely to give us a better wheel on their own.
Was Marbury v. Madison a judicial power grab?
February 28, 2017 | Post
Judges’ duty is to interpret the law, discover the facts, and apply the Constitution — no exceptions.
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.
What you should know about the Non-Aggression Principle
February 24, 2017 | Post
Libertarians talk about the non-aggression principle a lot, but what does it mean?
‘I am a Liberal’: How one man brought down Britain’s national ID system
December 10, 2016 | Post
In 1950, a British dry cleaner refused to show his papers and brought down the whole system of national identity registration.
A theory of justice, post-Trump edition
November 19, 2016 | Post
John Rawls famously argues that we should think about principles of justice from behind a “veil of ignorance.” How robust would you like the protection of religious freedom to be if you had no idea whether you turn out to be a Christian, Muslim, atheist, etc.? How would you like income to be distributed if […]
Resist the pressure to conform: Tocqueville’s warning
November 16, 2016 | Post
Is tyranny of the majority still a threat? Alexis de Tocqueville would say so.
Police Misconduct Upends the Role of Government
August 30, 2016 | Post
A lack of basic police accountability foments distrust within communities, especially communities of color, turning the social contract on its head.
Millennials Like Socialism — Until They Get Jobs
June 28, 2016 | Post
Editor’s note: This post originally appeared at the Washington Post. The author, Emily Ekins, will be joining Learn Liberty on Facebook Live this upcoming Thursday the the 30th at 3pm to talk about this and other election issues. Millennials are the only age group in America in which a majority views socialism favorably. A national […]
Legal and Cultural Approaches to Pluralism and Diversity
May 12, 2016 | Post
The term “pluralism” connotes both a description of our deep differences and a political response to those differences. Let’s start with pluralism as a description of our cultural reality. Our society is incredibly diverse when it comes to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, and sexuality. We have different life experiences, we live in different communities, […]