# The Politics of Liberty / The Libertarian Temperament **URL:** **By** Karl T. Pflock **Published:** May 1, 1974 --- “It is a rare thing when spare, prosaic language, simple exposition of fact, and measured statement of principle can communicate burning rage and unreserved commitment as well as information.” Both by John Hospers These cassette tapes are remarkable. It is a rare thing when spare, prosaic language, simple exposition of fact, and measured statement of principle can communicate burning rage and unreserved commitment as well as information. But that is what Professor Hospers does here. In speeches singularly free of histrionics, yet infused with the unmistakable flavor of a call to arms, he delivers a devastating indictment of statism and makes a superb, and all but irresistible, case for the libertarian alternative. I found myself moved to tears and to fist-pounding anger more than once, and although I have never met him, I like John Hospers very much. In _The Libertarian Temperament_ Hospers, by means of several concrete examples (chilling, humorous, moving), contrasts the libertarian cast of mind with its statist counterparts, the bureaucratic and academic temperaments. He also leaves no doubt as to the consequences of the continued ascendancy of the latter two. In the course of the talk, he develops and presents evidence in support of his conviction that persons of libertarian temperament (“gut libertarians”) abound, needing only some “consciousness raising” to mobilize them into a political force to reckon with. _The Politics of Liberty_ is the perfect follow-up to _TLT_. It offers an answer to those “Too true, but what do you have to offer?” reactions we all run into. Hospers delivers an excellent statement of the limited-government libertarian alternative, again using concrete examples to illustrate his points. As a bonus, he provides eight basic criteria by which anyone can measure the reach of statism in a modern society, and he applies them to the United States—great stuff for the doubting Thomases as well as those who have no doubts but are not sure “how much.” In sum, Hospers provides inspiration, instruction and hope—perhaps just the consciousness-raising experience needed by “gut libertarians.” _Reviewed by Karl T. Pflock / Cassette Recordings / The Politics Of Liberty (Tape #220, 82 Minutes) / BFL Price $9.95 / The Libertarian Temperament (Tape #200, 50 Minutes) / BFL Price $7.50 / Both Sets $15.70_