The System of Liberty: Themes in the History of Classical Liberalism

Liberal individualism, or "classical liberalism" as it is often called, refers to a political philosophy in which liberty plays the central role. This book demonstrates a conceptual unity within the manifestations of classical liberalism by tracing the history of several interrelated and reinforcing themes. Concepts such as order, justice, rights, and freedom have imparted unity to this diverse political ideology by integrating context and meaning. However, they have also sparked conflict, as classical liberals split on a number of issues, such as legitimate exceptions to the "presumption of liberty," the meaning of "the public good," natural rights versus utilitarianism, the role of the state in education, and the rights of resistance and revolution. This book explores these conflicts and their implications for contemporary liberal and libertarian thought.

Politics & Social Sciences

Smith, George H.

Politics & Government

Cambridge University Press

Logic

History

World

Trieste Publishing

A collection of three Knowledge Product publications The Constitution, The Constitutional Convention, and The Ratification Debates.

The United States Constitution

Hummel, Jeffrey Rogers

McElroy, Wendy

Americas

Blackstone Pub

The United States Constitution established both a strong central power and protected states’ rights. But to say that something is of two parts is not to say that the parts are equal. Advocates of state sovereignty believed the Constitution created an executive power that was so strong it might as well have been a monarchy, while advocates of national government felt that a strong executive was essential to steer America through crisis. Between these two positions, the living body of the Constitution was sculpted. Over and over, the delegates to the Philadelphia Convention clashed and compromised. Slavery, a bill of rights, legislative representation—all the battles over these issues are enshrined in the language of the Constitution. To fully appreciate the Constitution, it is necessary to understand the questions it sought to resolve.

The Text of the United States Constitution: The U.S. Constitution (Audio Classics)

Business & Money

Blackstone Audiobooks

In 1783, America emerged from a long and bitter war for Independence. The thirteen colonies were now thirteen sovereign states, bound together by the Articles of Confederation. After years of war, men like Thomas Jefferson saw the possibility of something new under the sun: a government which derived its just power from the consent of those governed. But the Continental Congress was bankrupt from the war, and many of the thirteen states refused to contribute money or to cooperate with each other. 
In May, 1787, delegates gathered in Philadelphia to attend a convention. After more than three months of passionate debate, conflict, and compromise, the United States Constitution was passed, establishing a national government. But to become the law of the land, the Constitution had to be independently ratified by at least nine of the thirteen states.

The Constitutional Convention (Audio Classics)

Reflections on the Revolution in France is a slashing attack on the French Revolution by one of Britain’s most famous statesmen. Liberty and social order, Burke argues, are maintained by the traditional rights and duties embedded in custom and law. And when these traditions are overthrown in revolutions, society is threatened with chaos, bloodshed and despotism. In Rights of Man, Thomas Paine argues that the French Revolution was based on the same principles as the American Revolution: natural rights, an implied “social contract”, and the right of revolution against oppressive governments. Paine, unlike Burke, sees government as the primary threat to social order. He has little regard for traditional institutions, if those institutions are oppressive and unjust.

Reflections on the Revolution in France/Rights of Man (Giants of Political Thought)

"Does a god exist? This question has undoubtedly been asked, in one form or another, since man has had the ability to communicate. . . Thousands of volumes have been written on the subject of a god, and the vast majority have answered the questions with a resounding 'Yes!' " "You are about to read a minority viewpoint." With this intriguing introduction, George H. Smith sets out to demolish what he considers the most widespread and destructive of all the myths devised by man - the concept of a supreme being. With painstaking scholarship and rigorous arguments, Mr. Smith examines, dissects, and refutes the myriad "proofs" offered by theists - the defenses of sophisticated, professional theologians, as well as the average religious layman. He explores the historical and psychological havoc wrought by religion in general - and concludes that religious belief cannot have any place in the life of modern, rational man. "It is not my purpose to convert people to atheism . . . (but to) demonstrate that the belief in God is irrational to the point of absurdity. If a person wishes to continue believing in a god, that is his prerogative, but he can no longer excuse his belief in the name of reason and moral necessity."

Atheism: The Case Against God (The Skeptic's Bookshelf)

Prometheus+books

In this wide-ranging collection of articles, essays, and speeches, George H. Smith analyzes atheism and its relevance to society today.The featured essay in this volume provides a full analysis of Ayn Rand's unique contribution to atheism, explaining how her objectivist metaphysics and laissez-faire economic principles rested on a purely godless worldview. Several chapters address the evolution of atheism; arguments in favor of religious toleration; the efforts of early Church fathers to discredit Roman polytheism and how these arguments can be used with equal force against later Christian descriptions of God; and a survey of the contributions to freethought made by the deists of the 18th and 19th centuries.With incisive logic and considerable wit, Smith ties atheism to reason and argues that reason itself can be a moral virtue. In one penetrating chapter, Smith salutes three Christian theorists who he believes embody the spirit of reason: Thomas Aquinas, Desiderius Erasmus, and John Locke. This is followed by a philosophical drubbing of his "least favorite Christians" - St. Paul, St. Augustine, and John Calvin. In subsequent chapters, Smith examines religion and education; addresses the 20th century fundamentalist revival; offers suggestions on how to debate atheism with religious believers; critiques "new religions," including pop therapy, est, and tranactional analysis; and provides a comprehensive bibliographic essay on the literature of freethought.

Atheism, Ayn Rand, and Other Heresies

Biographies & Memoirs

Professionals & Academics

Prometheus

The Lysander Spooner Reader

Lysander Spooner (1808-1887) was one of the great individualists of his era. He practiced law in violation of state law and then successfully petitioned to change the law. When the United States Post Office claimed a monopoly on first-class mail, Spooner opened a competing agency that forced the post office to lower its rates. Spooner was a great opponent of slavery but at odds with many abolitionists of his day. He defended reason, natural law, and individual freedom. Also included are a foreword by Sheldon Richman, an introduction by George H. Smith, and an obituary written by Spooner's compatriot, Benjamin Tucker (1854-1939), originally published in Tucker's newspaper, Liberty, May 28, 1887. Lysander Spooner was one of the most important early libertarian thinkers in the individualist tradition. Even after a full century his work is amazingly relevant today.

Literature & Fiction

Spooner, Lysander

History & Criticism

Fox & Wilkes

Here, for the first time, is a comprehensive, dramatic history of the United States at War -- on audio cassettes! Our nation's nine major wars are explained so clearly that you'll never forget them -- or the lessons they have taught us.More than a military history, these cassettes explore the political, economic, and social forces that have erupted in warfare. You'll see the largest historical forces that cause war -- irreconcilable political principles, trade disputes, territorial ambition, and even fear. You'll feel the immediate desolation and misery that war always brings, and learn how a war's political legacy may produce more lasting damage.Although the series concentrates on America, its scope is much broader. Foreign affairs and European history are included to provide a necessary perspective

The American Revolution, Part I (The United States at War)

Knowledge Products

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Books by Smith, George H.