Anti-libertarianism: Markets, Philosophy, and MythFree marketeers claim that theirs is the only economic mechanism which respects and furthers human freedom. Socialism, they say, has been thoroughly discredited. Most libertarians treat the state in anything other than its minimal, 'nightwatchman' form as a repressive embodiment of evil. Some reject the state altogether. But is the 'free market idea' a rationally defensible belief? Or do its proponents fail to examine the philosophical roots of their so-called freedom? Anti-libertarianism takes a sceptical look at the conceptual tenets of free market politics. Alan Haworth argues that libertarianism is little more than an unfounded, quasi-religious statement of faith: a market romance. Moreover, libertarianism is exposed as profoundly antithetical to the very freedom which it purports to advance. This controversial book is for anyone interested in the cultural and political impact of free market policies on the modern world. It will be invaluable to students and specialists of political and economic theory, social science and philosophy. |
Contents
Libertarianism antilibertarianism | 3 |
Market romances I nuts and bolts | 6 |
Reducibility freedom the invisible hand | 12 |
Market romances II love is strange | 32 |
On freedom | 38 |
The legend of the angels and the fable of the bees | 58 |
Part II | 65 |
Moralising the market | 67 |
Visions of Valhalla | 94 |
Part III | 105 |
The good fairys wand | 107 |
Hayek and the hand of fate | 115 |
Conclusions and postscript | 130 |
Notes | 134 |
143 | |
147 | |
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Common terms and phrases
according action Alan Haworth anti-consequentialist argument anti-libertarianism argue barber Berlin bilateral exchanges blocking model capitalist claim coercion collectivism conclusion consequentialist consider count economic Economic League evil example F.A. Hayek fact favour force free market Hayek hold human individual inequality interesting internal goal interpretation intuition invisible hand thesis jump ten feet labour lack of freedom least libertarianism's liberty logical London love is strange Ludwig Wittgenstein market exchange Market romances means metaphor moral natural negativism negativist Nozick Nozick's argument obstacle obvious ownership person philosophy political position possible prevent principle private property Procrustes question readers realise reducibility thesis respect rights-based libertarianism Road to Serfdom Robert Nozick Rothbard rules Samaritan seems sense Sir Keith Sir Keith Joseph social sort spontaneous order thesis Stalin story suppose theory things totalitarianism true truth unfree utilitarian Utopia violated Williams's Wilt Chamberlain Wittgenstein