Essays
Freedom, Rights, and Political Philosophy, Part 5
Smith explores some theoretical aspects of a rights-based conception of freedom.
Freedom, Rights, and Political Philosophy, Part 4
Smith discusses a metaphor that was widely used by early libertarian writers who defended the natural equality of humankind.
Freedom, Rights, and Political Philosophy, Part 3
Smith discusses the crucial distinction between political obligation and political allegiance, and how the problem of allegiance was the major concern of John Locke.
Freedom, Rights, and Political Philosophy, Part 2
Smith discusses the major criticism of natural rights and the consent theory of government – that these doctrines will land us in anarchy.Freedom, Rights, and Political Philosophy, Part 1
Smith broadens his discussion of a rights-based theory of freedom with an overview of modern political philosophy, especially its development during the seventeenth century.
Negative and Positive Liberty: Some Historical Reflections
Smith considers the different conceptions of freedom defended by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke.
How Well Do You Know Libertarian History?
Smith interrupts his usual series with a 30-question trivia quiz.
Thoughts on Libertarian Strategy for the New Year
Smith interrupts his series on negative and positive liberty to discuss his ideas about “strategic Taoism.”
Negative and Positive Liberty, Part 2
Smith discusses some of the problems in libertarian theory caused by the many different conceptions of liberty.
Negative and Positive Liberty
Smith criticizes Jason Brennan’s defense of positive liberty and his attempt to make positive liberty an essential part of libertarian theory.
Instead of a Review: A Commentary on Libertarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know, by Jason Brennan, Part 2
Smith criticizes Jason Brennan’s view of the origin of “hard libertarianism” and his treatment of Ayn Rand.
Instead of a Review: A Commentary on Libertarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know, by Jason Brennan
Smith begins his critical examination of Jason Brennan’s recent book with a discussion of the label “libertarianism” and its relationship to classical liberalism.