Libertarian Books Worth Reading
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Readings that give you a foundation in libertarianism
There are classics on which the general philosophy is based and refined. There are new books that look at how libertarian values apply today. There are great fiction titles that apply those values in a context meant to amplify and further explain them in a way that's more accessible to the rest of us.
Books on economics and free markets, treatises on personal freedoms, explorations of the constitution - there are a ton of topics that fall within this category, so I'm going to limit this for sure. But know there are tons of books that I haven't included and are worth exploring.
The Ultimate Libertarian Book
Libertarian Foundations
Defining Libertarianiasm
Primers, manifestos, essays, histories, definitions
If you're new to libertarianism as a political and philosophical construct, there are a lot of good books to start with that don't require you to go back to read really old texts. In recent years, there have been several primers and histories released that build on the ideas laid out by philosophers of past generations and give a simple understanding of libertarianism.One of the hot ones (and simplest) to come out is Libertarianism, from A to Z, pictured here. Miron takes you through the basics of what libertarian means and it's a pretty good place to start.
But given the complexities of libertarianism - from its roots to its application - you might want to consider checking out a few other introductory books and histories to give you a more rounded picture.
Libertarianism: A Primer
Libertarianism: A Primer
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The Libertarian Reader
Classic and Contemporary Writings from Lao Tzu to Milton Friedman
The Libertarian Reader: Classic and Contemporary Writings from Lao Tzu to Milton Friedman
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writers and works that represent the building blocks of libertarianism
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Libertarianism Today
Libertarianism Today
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Radicals for Capitalism
A Freewheeling History of the Modern American Libertarian Movement
Radicals for Capitalism: A Freewheeling History of the Modern American Libertarian Movement
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Text module
Foundational Libertarian Works
If you want to go deeper into libertarian ideals, you have to go back to a lot of the philosophical works that the newer works build on. Some of that philosophy goes as far back as Plato, some as recent as Rothbard. Much of it was the basis for the ultimate foundational work in the US today - The Constitution of the United States of America. When we talk about liberty in America, most libertarians hold to a strict interpretation of the Constitution as the basis for our beliefs.But there are a lot of thinkers who contributed to the mix of libertarian ideas. I've include Locke and Rand as two of the biggies, but there are tons more to read and consider.
The Citizen's Constitution: An Annotated Guide
The Citizen's Constitution: An Annotated Guide
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The Selected Political Writings of John Locke
The Selected Political Writings of John Locke (Norton Critical Editions)
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Selected Ayn Rand Writings
More Libertarian Thinkers
Realizing Freedom: Libertarian Theory, History, and Practice
Realizing Freedom: Libertarian Theory, History, and Practice
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The Ethics of Liberty
The Ethics of Liberty
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Liberty Defined: 50 Essential Issues That Affect Our Freedom
Liberty Defined: 50 Essential Issues That Affect Our Freedom
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Libertarian Economics
The Case for the Free Market
Freedom in the libertarian sense doesn't stop with the individual. The free market plays a key role in ensuring personal freedoms, so the arguments for freer economic policies is made time and time again.One of the classics in this area is Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman. Following up that one is definitely Hyak's book as two of the classics to read here.
I'd encourage you to take up the Economics in One Lesson book as well to get a good understanding of how economics really works - an understanding outside of political biases. Then you can yell at the TV with me when people say the most ridiculous things about the economy.
Economics in One Lesson
The Shortest and Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics
Economics in One Lesson: The Shortest and Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics
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The Road to Serfdom
The Road to Serfdom: Text and Documents--The Definitive Edition (The Collected Works of F. A. Hayek, Volume 2)
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Selected Works of Milton Friedman
Libertarian Politics
Libertarian Political Views
I find it easy to get riled up about challenges to liberty, but am often left standing and wondering just what to do about it. (Writing my congressman and senators has proven to be a huge waste of time and effort. Bah.)So just how do libertarians mix in the current political environment? Not easily or neatly, that's for sure. But there is a movement afoot to push for action related to libertarian beliefs, which is one reason I loved The Declaration of Independents: How Libertarian Politics Can Fix What's Wrong with America because it proves some real meat to the abstract concepts.
There are a few other good books out there that lay out just how we're losing ground on liberty due to the current political climate as well as some great in-depth looks at specific political issues.
The Politics of Freedom
Taking on The Left, The Right and Threats to Our Liberties
The Politics of Freedom: Taking on The Left, The Right and Threats to Our Liberties
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The Struggle to Limit Government: A Modern Political History
The Struggle to Limit Government: A Modern Political History
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Books on Libertarian Issues
Some of these issues fall into the arguments for free markets and avoiding economic fallacies. Some are strictly about personal freedoms and rights that are being encroached upon. Or railroaded in some cases.
One of my hot button issues revolves around property rights - discussed nicely in Cornerstone of Liberty: Property Rights in 21st Century America, pictured here. But gun rights, drug laws, excessive regulation - all lead to spirited discussion about what freedom really means and how we apply it (or don't) today.
Hot Political Issues from Libertarian Viewpoint
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