In this introductory volume, Professor Stephen R. C. Hicks makes the essential arguments for and against liberalism. Each argument is supported by quotations from the major thinkers—including Locke, Nietzsche, Plato, Hayek, de Maistre, Rand, Marx, and others—who have advanced or attacked liberalism.
The Pro-Liberal claims: Liberalism increases freedom | People work harder in liberal societies | People work smarter under liberalism | Liberalism increases individuality and creativity | Liberalism increases the average standard of living | The poor are better off under liberalism | Liberalism generates more philanthropy | More outstanding individuals flourish under liberalism | Liberalism’s individualism increases happiness | Liberal societies are more interesting | Tolerance increases under liberalism | Sexism and racism decrease under liberalism | Liberalism leads to international peace | Liberalism is the most just system | Liberalism is more moral in its political practice
The Anti-Liberal claims: Humans are not intelligent enough for freedom | Human nature is too immoral for freedom | Liberalism is amorally self-interested | Liberalism’s individualism is atomistic | Liberalism is materialistic | Liberal societies are boring | Power is the reality, so liberalism is naïve | Liberalism does not guarantee that everyone’s basic needs will be met | Liberalism is unfair | Equality is threatened by freedom | Scarcity means that freedom is dog-eat-dog | Liberalism is unsustainable | Liberalism is socially inefficient | Liberalism is merely another subjective narrative | Freedom does not exist
Related: Other books by Stephen R.C. Hicks:
