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.
Thomas Hodgskin: Libertarian Extraordinaire, Part 3
Smith begins his discussion of the free-market theories of Thomas Hodgskin.
Thomas Hodgskin: Libertarian Extraordinaire, Part 2
Smith discusses Thomas Hodgskin’s most controversial work, Labour Defended Against the Claims of Capital.
Thomas Hodgskin: Libertarian Extraordinaire, Part 1
Smith begins his series on Thomas Hodgskin, one of the most remarkable, if little known and unjustly neglected, libertarian thinkers of the nineteenth century.
Neoconservatism Versus Libertarianism, Part 3
Smith explores the ideas of Irving Kristol and Robert Bork on culture. He begins with a discussion of the anti-jazz crusade of the 1920s.
Neoconservatism Versus Libertarianism, Part 2
Smith gives a personal twist to his criticism of neoconservatism. He tells the story of how a disagreement with Roy Childs over the ideas of Irving Kristol resulted in a serious argument.
Neoconservatism Versus Libertarianism, Part 1
Smith begins his series on neoconservatism by exploring some of its fundamental differences with libertarianism.
Thomas Jefferson on Public Education Part 2
Smith explores Thomas Jefferson’s belief in the value of history, and his plan for public universities.
Barack Obama, Social Darwinism, and Survival of the Fittest Part 3
Smith concludes this series with a close look at Herbert Spencer’s views on charity and the poor.
Barack Obama, Social Darwinism, and Survival of the Fittest, Part 2
Smith continues his discussion of Herbert Spencer and William Graham Sumner, explaining how they explicitly repudiated the ideas associated with social Darwinism.
Barack Obama, Social Darwinism, and Survival of the Fittest, Part 1
Smith interrupts his series on education with a timely discussion of social Darwinism.
Thomas Jefferson on Public Education, Part 1
Smith discusses Jefferson’s ideas about education and his plan for a decentralized system of public schools.
Critics of State Education Part 4: A Free Market in Education
Smith explores the Voluntaryist critique of those who support free trade in religion and commerce but advocate state interference in education as well as the debate between J. S. Mill and Herbert Spencer about the proper role of government in education.