When you've finished that I highly recommend Ayn Rand's Anthem. And it's only about 100 pages!!! From the back cover:
1859 (On the Subjection of women was written in 1869). It's quite lengthy but has some good quotes. Within it is a very long exposition on freedom of speech and opinion.
And in the same introduction he goes on in a way reminiscent of Ayn Rand: And the path of J S Mill and Libertarians abruptly separates.
@Oldsoul, so what Mill advocates is that liberty is only for the enlightened (adults in a modern, progressive society), but not for kids, or the mentally retarded or those living in a non-progressive or as he put it, immature society aka barbarians (ie Arabs in Rand's view).
From my understanding his discussions regarding children, mentally retarded etc is simply that they typically lack an understanding and respect of what their and/or others rights are. Hence they need guardianship. This is basically what I've said in the past that people essentially "acquire" rights as they progress from being a baby to a child to an adult. It's a natural transition as part of development and also applies if people are in a coma, losing their faculties (eg dementia) or under the influence of certain substances. It is interesting that there seems to be a whole school of individualist liberals who apply the same concept to cultures that do not recognise and respect individual liberty. I haven't thought about it much but I guess I can see where they are coming from. It seems to be a dangerous area however, as intervening in another society for the purpose of liberating them from a despotic social system is fraught (and a little bit pretentious). Well-intentioned I'm sure, but a slippery slope to inadvertently becoming the despot yourself. The last couple of hundred years seem to be littered with good and bad examples of where liberty has been "imposed" by an outside culture rather than developing internally (probably more bad than good).
Individualist liberals with the best of intentions are no different from socialists, dicators etc etc with the best of intentions, nor objectivists as well. To me that is one appealing factor about Libertarianism, there are no grey areas as far as liberty is concerned because (a) it is a simple philosophy of non-aggression and (b) it (and it's not alone) puts much of the responsibility for one's predicament on the individual and (c) all it does is simply demand the same in return - the only demand it makes mind you. The benevolent dictator, or hero if you like, whether they be of the working class or the small business class is always a winner for some and a danger for others. Go Gough! Edit to add: and I fully support Mill's views in regards to children and the mentality incapacitated.
I just saw the updated speakers list and there's an eclectic mix of political figures speaking on various topics including Mark Latham (Former Federal Opposition Leader), Joel Murray (Sex Party), Senator David Leyonhjelm, Alex Hawke MP (Liberal Member for Mitchell), Dr Peter Phelps MLC (NSW Government Whip), Louise Staley MLA (Liberal Member for Rippon) and Tim Wilson (HRC Commissioner). Besides the usual string of free market economists there's also a session on drugs and law by the Former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Palmer. Less than a week to go now
Here's another one of those political quizzes to help you understand where you stand on the political spectrum: http://lpstore.org/images/lp_door_hanger.pdf Me: 100, 100. Surprise surprise! :lol:
Stacey's summary of the essential characteristics of a Libertarian, all of these should be evidenced in the person's thought if they are to be considered a Libertarian.
It's that time of year again, so here's another: Gratuitous advert - The 2016 Annual Friedman Conference Sydney, 13-16 May 2016 The Early Bird special is just $300 for concession, or $400 for adults. This is amazing value, and includes 2 full days of conference, lunches, Friday night drinks and a 3 course dinner with 4 hour wine package at the Gala Dinner. Note - the $100 early bird discount ends tomorrow.
Probably not would be my guess. Are the Liberty on the Rocks guys still active down there? BTW: I forgot the website link = http://www.friedman16.org/
