# David Boaz **URL:** --- David Boaz was a distinguished senior fellow of the Cato Institute and played a key role in the development of the Cato Institute and the libertarian movement. He was the author of [_The Libertarian Mind: A Manifesto for Freedom_](https://www.cato.org/books/libertarian-mind) and the editor of [_The Libertarian Reader_](http://smile.amazon.com/Libertarian-Reader-Contemporary-Writings-Friedman/dp/1476752893/). Boaz was a provocative commentator and a leading authority on domestic issues such as education choice, drug legalization, the growth of government, and the rise of libertarianism. Boaz was the former editor of _New Guard_ magazine and was executive director of the Council for a Competitive Economy prior to joining Cato in 1981. The earlier edition of [_The Libertarian Mind_](http://store.cato.org/books/libertarian-mind), titled [_Libertarianism: A Primer_](http://www.amazon.com/Libertarianism-A-Primer-David-Boaz/dp/068484768X), was described by the _Los Angeles Times_ as “a well-​researched manifesto of libertarian ideas.” His other books include [_The Politics of Freedom_](https://www.cato.org/books/politics-freedom-taking-left-right-threats-our-liberties) and the [_Cato Handbook for Policymakers_](https://www.cato.org/cato-handbook-policymakers/archives). His articles have been published in the _Wall Street Journal_, the _New York Times_, the _Washington Post_, the _Los Angeles Times_, _National Review_, and _Slate_, and he wrote the entry on libertarianism for _Encyclopedia Britannica_. He was a frequent guest on national television and radio shows and has appeared on ABC’s _Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher_, CNN’s _Crossfire_, NPR’s _Talk of the Nation_ and _All Things Considered_, _The McLaughlin Group_, _Stossel_, _The Independents_, Fox News, BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and other media.