What It Means to Be a Libertarian: A Personal Interpretation

by Charles Murray

Hardcover, 1996

Status

Available

Call number

320.512

Genres

General Nonfiction

Collection

Your library

Publication

Broadway (1996), Edition: 1, 192 pages

Description

The twin pillars of the nation created by America's Founders were strict limits on the power of central government and strict protections of individual rights. Now, at the close of the twentieth century, that state is gone - and Charles Murray wants to bring it back. In What It Means to Be a Libertarian, he offers a radical blueprint for overhauling our dysfunctional government and replacing it with a system that fosters human happiness because it safeguards human freedom. In this very personal book, Charles Murray paints a vivid portrait of life in a genuinely free society. He explains why limited government would lead to greater individual fulfillment, more vital communities, and a richer culture. He shows why such a society would have stronger families, fewer poor people, and would care for the less fortunate far better than does the society we have now.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member jpsnow

The arguments solidify my thinking sufficiently to persuade me to change my voter registration. In keeping with the spirit, the ideas are fully conveyed in less than 140 small pages. The only barrier for me previously was that of the drug-free attitude. However Murray shows proves the failure of

the drug enforcement efforts and more importantly the inapplicability to any individual parent's goal of keeping THEIR child from the effects. I could write so much more, but why -- it is so well put in this text.

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LibraryThing member whiteberg

Best defence of libertarianism I have read in a long time. Lucid and short, and written from a ethical, almost communitarian perspective on what is best for society - individual happiness.

LibraryThing member jwhenderson

Charles Murray's short book on libertarian is a personal synopsis or, better yet, a precis of the libertarian experience. It is divided into three sections: 1) "The Framework" where he describes the principles of limited government - its purposes and constituent make up; 2) "How Would It Work?"

being a more practical commentary on how citizens could manage their personal and public affairs under limited government; and, 3)"Is It Possible?" considering the circumstances under which we might return to limited government. The last being a hopeful discussion of change that is necessary both in 1997 and now. As with all good short introductions to an important subject this book encourages the reader to explore further and deeper into the issues discussed and provides an excellent summary of sources both for principles and practical applications. Charles Murray is always worth reading and never has been more thoughtful than in this personal approach to the Libertarian life.

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