Libertarianism

Libertarianism is the view that coercive political institutions are justified only insofar as they protect each person's liberty to pursue their own goals and well-being. Eric Mack provides a rigorous and clear account of the philosophical principles of libertarianism, examining three distinctive schools of thought and the foundational arguments and theories of economic justice offered by Robert Nozick and F.A. Hayek.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2018
Publisher: Polity Press

Libertarianism is a philosophical belief that coercive political institutions, such as the state, are only justified to the extent that they protect individual liberty to pursue their own goals and well-being in their own way. Libertarians argue that any attempt to enforce top-down concepts of social justice or economic equality is fundamentally misconceived.

In this comprehensive book, renowned expert Eric Mack delves into the philosophical foundations of libertarianism. He presents accounts of three distinct schools of libertarian thought: the natural rights approach, the cooperation to mutual advantage approach, and the indirect consequentialist approach. After exploring the historical roots of these approaches in the works of figures like John Locke and David Hume, Mack provides insightful explanations of the foundational arguments and economic justice theories offered by Robert Nozick and F.A. Hayek. He also examines various other debates, including those surrounding the nature of the minimal state and the interactions between critics and defenders of libertarianism.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in political philosophy, political ideologies, and the nature of liberty and state authority. It will appeal to students, scholars, and general readers alike, as it offers a rigorous and accessible exploration of the key concepts and debates within libertarianism.

Weight: 234g
Dimension: 180 x 195 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509519309