Excursions
Rudolf Rocker and the Will to Power, Part 2
George H. Smith explains Rocker’s theory of why the ideas of classical liberalism were swamped by the rising tide of statism.
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George H. Smith
George H. Smith was formerly Senior Research Fellow for the Institute for Humane Studies, a lecturer on American History for Cato Summer Seminars, and Executive Editor of Knowledge Products. Smith's fourth and most recent book, The System of Liberty, was published by Cambridge University Press in 2013.
Excursions
Rudolf Rocker and the Will to Power, Part 1
In Nationalism and Culture, a classic history of libertarian ideas, Rudolf Rocker uses the struggle of freedom against power as his theoretical framework.
Excursions
The Lust for Power
George H. Smith explains how the insatiable desire for power and its corrupting influence have been dominant themes in libertarian theory and history.
Excursions
State and Society, Part 3
George H. Smith, drawing from Machiavelli’s The Prince, discusses two essential ingredients of successful states.
Excursions
State and Society, Part 2
George H. Smith explains the meaning of “society” and “institution,” and he discusses the distinction between designed and undesigned institutions.
Excursions
The Other Adam Smith, Part 5
George H. Smith discusses Adam Smith’s views on a standing army and his arguments for competition in education.
Excursions
The Other Adam Smith, Part 4
George Smith explores Adam Smith’s views on Columbus, smuggling, and education.
Excursions
The Other Adam Smith, Part 3
George Smith discusses Adam Smith’s views on sin taxes and slavery.
Excursions
The Other Adam Smith, Part 2
George H. Smith discusses Adam Smith’s social, political, and moral objections to governmental interference in the economy as found in the Wealth of Nations.
Excursions
A Gossipy Interlude: George Eliot, Herbert Spencer, and John Chapman, Part 3
George H. Smith discusses the significant role played by John Chapman in the lives of Herbert Spencer, George Eliot, and G. H. Lewes.
Excursions
A Gossipy Interlude: George Eliot, Herbert Spencer, and John Chapman, Part 2
George H. Smith criticizes an influential book by Mark Francis, Herbert Spencer and the Invention of Modern Life.
Excursions
A Gossipy Interlude: George Eliot, Herbert Spencer, and John Chapman, Part 1
George H. Smith discusses the complex personal relationships among three leading classical liberals in Victorian England.
Excursions
Thomas Hodgskin Versus Herbert Spencer, Part 3
Smith compares the positions of Hodgskin and Smith on the history of landownership, and their opposition to the political power of the landed aristocracy.
Excursions
Thomas Hodgskin Versus Herbert Spencer, Part 1
George H. Smith discusses the common allegation that Herbert Spencer took many of his ideas from Thomas Hodgskin without acknowledging their source.
Excursions
Lord Acton and the History of Liberty, Part 3
George H. Smith discusses Acton’s thesis that the conflict between church and state in medieval Europe was vital to the progress of freedom.
Excursions
Lord Acton and the History of Liberty, Part 2
George H. Smith discusses some common criticisms of Lord Acton and other classical liberal historians.
columns
Freethought and Freedom: Spinoza on Freedom of Religion and Speech
Smith continues his discussion of Spinoza by explaining how he defended freedom of religion and speech.
columns
Freethought and Freedom: Benedict Spinoza
Smith discusses Spinoza’s controversial ideas about God, religion, and his criticism of the Design Argument.