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Libertarianism in One Lesson: Why Libertarianism Is the Best Hope for America's Future
Libertarianism in One Lesson Why Libertarianism Is the Best Hope for America's Future Author:David Bergland The best introductory book about libertarianism has just gotten better! The brand-new Ninth Edition of David Bergland's acclaimed Libertarianism In One Lesson is now available. — This classic work has been comprehensively updated and completely rewritten for 2005. It's more relevant, wide-ranging, and useful than ever. — With insight and candor, L... more »ibertarianism In One Lesson answers all the common questions about the freedom philosophy: What exactly is libertarianism? What are its historic roots? Are libertarians conservative or liberal? What would libertarians do to solve America's most vexing problems? And does libertarianism work in the "real world"?
The book lays out the central premise of libertarianism--"You own yourself"--and reveals how that deceptively simple statement has a wide-ranging impact on the relationship between government and individuals.
But there's more. Libertarianism In One Lesson sparkles with provocative proposals, insightful analysis, dry wit, and startling information. (See below for some of the "Did you know?" facts in the book.) You'll be intrigued and enlightened as Bergland discusses:
? National defense and terrorism. Find out why Big Macs and hip hop music may be America's most powerful weapons against foreign dictators. Why we don't need to worry about aggressors seizing Middle Eastern oil. And why a noninterventionist foreign policy would make America safer. (Did you know: The United States had troops stationed in 135 foreign nations in 2004?)
? Education. Find out why government per-pupil spending has doubled over the last 30 years--and yet 47 million Americans are "borderline illiterates." And get convincing proof that public schools are what poor parents settle for--not what they would freely choose. (Did you know: 46% of public school teachers in Chicago send their children to private schools?)
? The War on Drugs. Find out the 15 most compelling arguments against drug prohibition. What we should have learned from Al Capone. And how the War on Drugs encourages criminals to make more potent, dangerous drugs. (Did you know: African-Americans are 13 times as likely as whites to be imprisoned on drug charges--even though blacks and whites use drugs at about the same rate?)
? Poverty. Find out why government welfare programs perpetuate poverty--instead of curing it. And where the $33,700 that the federal government supposedly spends on welfare for each four-person poor family really goes. (Did you know: America's poor have a higher standard of living than the average middle-class American family had in the 1970s?)
? The environment. Find out why pollution is really just another form of trespass. How fishermen in Great Britain stop water pollution (and why we should follow their example). And why timber companies frequently take better care of forests than the National Park Service. (Did you know: The federal government pollutes more than all chemical and oil companies combined--but not a single bureaucrat can be prosecuted for environmental crimes because of sovereign immunity?)
? Guns and crime. Find out how guns make you safer--even if you don't own one. Why the U.S. Department of Justice now admits that the Second Amendment "secures a personal right of individuals." And how criminals respond when they think a potential victim might be armed. (Did you know: Given the relative number of guns and the number of swimming pools in the USA, a child is 100 times more likely to die in a swimming pool accident than from a gun accident?)
? Health care. Find out why traditional health insurance drives up medical costs. How Medicare and Medicaid's $30 trillion unfunded liability threatens your children's financial future. And which two healthcare reforms would immediately shift power back to consumers. (Did you know: The FDA has killed as many as 119,000 Americans by delaying access to lifesaving drugs?)
But there's more. In Libertarianism In One Lesson, Bergland demolishes the fuzzy thinking that encourages people to blindly turn to government and politicians to solve problems. Once you read this chapter, you'll never again fall victim to the Utopian Fallacy, the "PANG" Premise, or the Free Lunch Fallacy. This section alone is worth the price of the book!
In a fast-moving Q&A chapter, Bergland quickly and clearly contrasts the conservative, liberal, and libertarian positions on major issues. He suggests practical policy proposals to help America move in a more libertarian direction--starting today. And he offers a hopeful, inspiring vision of a libertarian renaissance in America.
This new Ninth Edition of Libertarianism In One Lesson has been extensively updated. It's as current as today's headlines, and tackles terrorism, the war in Iraq, Social Security reform, and even the ongoing debate about medical marijuana.
Libertarianism In One Lesson has been acclaimed by critics. Peter McWilliams, best-selling author of Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do, said the book is "excellent. [It explains] the only political/economic philosophy that makes any sense to me--or to the Founding Fathers." Free-Market.net called it a "classic." Liberty Tree called it "a concise, eloquent introduction to libertarian thought and how it can be applied to real-world problems."
If you're a newcomer to libertarianism--or just curious--this book will answer every question you have (in just 192 pages!). If you're already a libertarian, this book is an inspiring reminder of the beauty and power of libertarian ideas. And if you have a friend who's interested in the freedom philosophy, this trade-size paperback, with a stunning full-color cover, makes a great gift.
Libertarianism In One Lesson is an eye-opening book. It will change the way you look at government, laws, politics--and human liberty. And it will give you hope for a better tomorrow in America.
"The best brief introduction to libertarianism available. Bergland is anxious to provide as persuasive and comprehensive a case as he can, and wastes no time getting to the point... He has even adapted it so it can be readily used in classrooms, and sprinkles the book with short sections differentiating among liberal, conservative, and libertarian positions on current issues."