Governing Least: A New England Libertarianism

Dan Moller (Associate Professor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Maryland)

Governing Least: A New England Libertarianism
Format
Hardback
Publisher
Oxford University Press Inc
Country
United States
Published
21 January 2019
Pages
328
ISBN
9780190863241

Governing Least: A New England Libertarianism

Dan Moller (Associate Professor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Maryland)

That government is best which governs least. – Henry David Thoreau
In this major new defense of libertarianism, Dan Moller argues that critics and supporters alike have neglected the strongest arguments for the theory. It is often assumed that libertarianism depends on thinking that property rights are absolute, or on fetishizing individual liberty. Moller argues that, on the contrary, the foundations of libertarianism lie in widely shared, everyday moral beliefs – particularly in restrictions on shifting our burdens onto others. The core of libertarianism, on this New England interpretation, is not an exaggerated sense of our rights against other people, but modesty about what we can demand from them.
Moller then connects these philosophical arguments with related work in economics, history, and politics. The result is a wide-ranging discussion in the classical liberal tradition that defies narrow academic specialization. Among the questions Moller addresses are how to think about private property in a service economy, whether libertarians should support reparations for slavery, what the history of capitalism tells us about free markets, and what role political correctness plays in shaping policy debates.

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 2 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.