The Libertarian Mind

Libertarianism—the philosophy of personal and economic freedom—has deep roots in Western civilization and in American history, with increasing appeal to those dissatisfied with the status quo. The growth of executive power, chronic deficits, counterproductive foreign wars, protectionist trade measures, and numerous other threats to civil liberties are pushing millions of Americans in a more libertarian direction.

The Libertarian Mind is a comprehensive guide to the history and philosophy of this movement. This updated edition delves into the principles of libertarianism, exploring its roots and its development over time. It offers a rich collection of ideas that present a compelling case for individual liberty and mutual cooperation. Challenging the notion of top-down governmental control, the book advocates instead for a society built on freedom and individual rights. More than just a book, it is a call to action for those who believe in the sovereignty and fundamental dignity of the individual and the importance of political freedom.

Liberalism—the doctrine that all individuals are born free, equal, and endowed with rights that governments must respect and enforce—is the most successful social idea ever conceived, responsible for the peace, freedom, prosperity, and knowledge we enjoy. Libertarianism—the branch of liberalism which emphasizes non-coercion and minimal government—is among the most important movements of our era, influencing everything from education and environmental policy to marijuana and Medicare. In print continuously since its first publication in 1997, and now appearing in paperback with a new preface by the late author, David Boaz’s primer stands—along with Mill’s On Liberty, Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom, Friedman’s Capitalism and Freedom, and a select few others—as a classic explication of libertarian thought. Ranging from Locke and Lao-tzu to today’s controversies, it may be the most readable and comprehensive of them all. If you’re wondering what libertarianism is all about, start here. If you’re already an expert, The Libertarian Mind will deepen your understanding. Boaz writes, “Liberty has made great strides.” This book is one of the reasons.

—Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow, Brookings Institution, and author of Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free Thought

David Boaz was the former executive vice president and a distinguished senior fellow of the Cato Institute, which The Economist calls “America’s leading libertarian think-tank.” He was the former editor of New Guard magazine and was executive director of the Council for a Competitive Economy before joining Cato. He was a frequent guest on national television and radio shows, and his articles have been published in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and the Encyclopedia Britannica. He was the author of Libertarianism: A Primer and The Politics of Freedom, and the coauthor of The Libertarian Vote: Swing Voters, Tea Parties, and the Fiscally Conservative, Socially Liberal Center. He was also the editor of Toward Liberty: The Idea That Is Changing the World; Left, Right & Babyboom; Liberating Schools: Education in the Inner City; The Crisis in Drug Prohibition; nine editions of the Cato Handbook for Policymakers; and The Libertarian Reader.