Looking at public policy debates in conventional terms in terms of conflict between the left and the right has grown increasingly cumbersome in an era where conservatives call themselves revolutionaries and liberals strike positively Burkean poses when it comes to reforming Social Security or Medicare. Through an examination of the libertarian worldview, once on the margins of American politics but now in the mainstream, William E. Hudson shows how it has attracted powerful political supporters and is promoted by a network of institutions and policy advocates dedicated to its ideals. The Libertarian Illusion offers a well researched, balanced, and systematic critique of libertarian policy proposals on both the conservative (taxation and fiscal policy, health care, social security, and business regulation) and liberal (abortion, stem cell research, and euthanasia) sides of the traditional political spectrum.
Always engaging and provocative, Hudson hones in on the fundamental value differences that drive political debate, arguing that a more communitarian outlook offers solutions more likely to solve America s policy problems.
Product Features
- Used Book in Good Condition
Poorly informed critique
The Illusion of Research on Libertarianism? Review of Libertarian IllusionSeveral years ago, I decided to educate myself about economics. At the time, I was reading a lot about finance and investing, and those who made the most sense to me turned out to be proponents of free markets. At the time, I considered myself a card-carrying liberal, though, and my mind did not change overnight, particularly with respect to welfare, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and in general programs meant to help the underprivileged. One book that…
While well-discussed and giving valuable overviews of communitarian proposals and thought, the book fails from the get-go in not actually researching Libertarianism. The giveaway is there is not ONE SENTENCE on the driving community, the Libertarian International Organization.Like many misguided academics and journalists in an echo-chamber spreading misinformation, the author assumes L/libertarianism is about ‘more liberty’ and some kind of spontaneous movement. He wastes time…