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
| 3 | |
| 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 appear apply argue argument become Berlin blocking capitalism claim clear coercion common concept concerned conclusion consider contrast count course definition describe distinction doubt draw economic effects ends equally evil example exchange existence fact force free market freedom function give given Hayek hold human important individual interesting interpretation intuition invisible hand jump lack latter least less libertarian liberty logical London means moral natural Nozick object obstacle obvious particular person philosophy political position possible prevent principle question readers reason reducibility requires respect result rules Samaritan seems sense situation social society sometimes sort spontaneous order story suppose tend theory thesis things third treat true truth turn unfree violated writes