Excursions
The purpose of these Excursions is to explore the fascinating and complex history of libertarian ideas. Over four decades of reading, writing, and lecturing on the history of libertarianism have taught Smith an important lesson, namely, that the theories of some early libertarian thinkers were sometimes better and more sophisticated than the theories we take for granted today.
Defending the Non-Aggression Principle: A Reply to Matt Zwolinski Part 5
Smith discusses various formulations of the non-aggression principle and concludes with some remarks about the problem of pollution.
Defending the Non-Aggression Principle: A Reply to Matt Zwolinski Part 4
Smith presents the rudiments of a theory of children’s rights.
Defending the Non-Aggression Principle: A Reply to Matt Zwolinski Part 3
Smith criticizes Zwolinski’s discussions of risk, fraud, and the relationship between aggression and property rights.
Defending the Non-Aggression Principle: A Reply to Matt Zwolinski Part 2
Smith examines the argument that minor acts of aggression are morally permissible if they result in good consequences that offset an unjust act.
Defending the Non-Aggression Principle: A Reply to Matt Zwolinski, Part 1
Smith examines the claim that the non-aggression principle should be viewed as a defeasible presumption.
Ludwig von Mises and Economic Calculation Under Socialism, Part 2
Smith explains why Mises predicted that “planned chaos” would emerge in a socialist economy and how F.A. Hayek elaborated on that insight.
Ludwig von Mises and Economic Calculation Under Socialism, Part 1
Smith discusses the theory of value that provided the foundation for the Misesian argument that rational economic calculation is impossible in a socialistic economy.
Notes on Persecution and Toleration in the History of Christianity
Smith explores some of the traditional biblical arguments for and against religious persecution.
Lord Acton and the History of Liberty, Part 3
Smith discusses Acton’s thesis that the conflict between church and state in medieval Europe was vital to the progress of freedom.
Lord Acton and the History of Liberty, Part 2
Smith discusses some common criticisms of Lord Acton and other classical liberal historians.
Lord Acton and the History of Liberty, Part 1
Smith discusses some of Lord Acton’s ideas about freedom and their relevance to the modern libertarian movement.
Freedom, Rights, and Political Philosophy, Part 5
Smith explores some theoretical aspects of a rights-based conception of freedom.