Liberalism

Intellectuals vs. the rest of us
16
Aug
By Bob Weeks

Intellectuals vs. the rest of us

Why are so many opposed to private property and free exchange -- capitalism, in other words -- in favor of large-scale government interventionism? Lack of knowledge, or ignorance, is one answer, but there is another. From August 2013. At a recent educational meeting I attended, someone asked the question: Why doesn't everyone believe what we (most of the people attending) believe: that private property and free exchange -- capitalism, in other words -- are superior to government intervention and control over the economy? It's question that I've asked at conferences I've attended. The most hopeful answer is ignorance. While that…
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12
Sep
By Bob Weeks

Classical liberalism means liberty, individualism, and civil society

In a short video, Nigel Ashford of Institute for Humane Studies explains the tenets of classical liberalism. Not to be confused with modern American liberalism or liberal Republicans, classical liberalism places highest value on liberty and the individual. Modern American liberals, or progressives as they often prefer to be called, may value some of these principles, but most, such as free markets and limited government -- and I would add individualism and toleration -- are held in disdain by them. Here are the principles of classical liberalism that Ashford identifies: Liberty is the primary political value. "When deciding what to…
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28
Jun
By Bob Weeks

Inside the progressive mindset

When I read this opening paragraph of a letter from the leaders of Media Matters, I double-checked that this wasn't a story from The Onion, the humorous and satirical news source: Five years ago, Media Matters was founded with a few staffers dedicated to a singular, and daunting, goal: restoring accountability and integrity to American journalism after both had been systematically eroded by decades of conservative attacks. Until then, no progressive organization had been solely dedicated to this crucial task, allowing the right-wing media machine to run roughshod over one of our democracy's most vital institutions. The consequences were obvious,…
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07
May
By Bob Weeks

Intellectuals vs. the rest of us

At a recent educational meeting I attended, someone asked the question: Why doesn't everyone believe what we (most of the people attending) believe: that private property and free exchange -- capitalism, in other words -- are superior to government intervention and control over the economy? It's question that I've asked at conferences I've attended. The most hopeful answer is ignorance. While that may seem a harsh word to use, ignorance is simply a "state of being uninformed." That can be cured by education. This is the reason for this website. This is the reason why I and others testify in…
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02
May
By Bob Weeks

Classical liberalism: Liberty, individualism, and civil society

In a short video, Nigel Ashford of Institute for Humane Studies explains the tenets of classical liberalism. Not to be confused with modern American liberalism or liberal Republicans, classical liberalism places highest value on liberty and the individual. Modern American liberals, or progressives as they often prefer to be called, may value some of these principles, but most, such as free markets and limited government -- and I would add individualism and toleration -- are held in disdain by them. Here are the principles of classical liberalism that Ashford identifies: Liberty is the primary political value. "When deciding what to…
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19
Dec
By Bob Weeks

Classical liberalism values liberty, the individual, and civil society

In a short video, Nigel Ashford of Institute for Humane Studies explains the tenets of classical liberalism. Not to be confused with modern American liberalism or liberal Republicans, classical liberalism places highest value on liberty and the individual. Modern American liberals, or progressives as they often prefer to be called, may value some of these principles, but most, such as free markets and limited government -- and I would add individualism and toleration -- are held in disdain by them. Here are the principles of classical liberalism that Ashford identifies: Liberty is the primary political value. "When deciding what to…
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15
Aug
By Bob Weeks

Lies of liberal progressives, Sunday edition

On the C-SPAN television program Washington Journal (Sunday August 14, 2011) Democratic strategist Mark Mellman appeared and gave viewers a lesson on how the political left lies and distorts in order to score political points against what it sees as easy targets. Mellman said: "The tea party comes out, and has really done real damage to this country. Most people in this country think it's okay to to stop giving subsidies to oil companies. The tea party says no. Most people say it's okay in the country to make corporate jet owners pay taxes, or hedge fund managers pay taxes.…
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