By Francisco Gonzalez, JMI Development Director
On February 3, I attended a lecture at the Florida State University law school, hosted by the FSU chapters of the Federalist Society and the Young Americans for Liberty. The speaker, Ilya Shapiro, Senior Fellow in Constitutional Studies at the Cato Institute, gave a talk, “So you think you know libertarianism?”
His purpose was to outline the general principles of libertarianism, while he clearly articulated that there are many various schools of thought within this philosophy of liberty. That said, Shapiro outlined that most libertarians believe in the principles of (1) individualism, (2) spontaneous order, (3) the rule of law, (4) limited government, (5) the virtue of production, (6) ownership over the fruits of one’s own labor, (7) the natural harmony of interests (everyone prospers from the opportunity of the free-market), and (8) peace (and that it’s opposite, war, is the enemy of a productive people, as it places more power in the hands of the state).
Shapiro pointed out that the popular push back against the reckless big government policies being touted today are part of the rise in libertarian thought. Many on the right and left are frustrated by government and are turning to libertarianism as a political philosophy they can embrace.
There is most definitely a push-back against big government, and toward libertarianism, as was evidenced by Dr. Ron Paul’s convincing straw poll win at CPAC!
Libertarianism: the radical notion that you don’t own other people. Maximum personal and economic liberty. Limited government and social tolerance. Peace and prosperity. Personal responsibility.
Need I go on?
Mr. Shapiro’s talk was quite informative, he did a wonderful job describing the ideas and taking questions objectively. It was unquestionable that he knew the Constitution as if it was second-nature and held up quite well from the scrutiny of the respondent. It is always refreshing to hear ideas I can relate to described so eloquently.
Mr. Shapiro’s talk was quite informative, he did a wonderful job describing the ideas and taking questions objectively. It was unquestionable that he knew the Constitution as if it was second-nature and held up quite well from the scrutiny of the respondent. It is always refreshing to hear ideas I can relate to described so eloquently.
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