Reference Reviews

Lawrence Looks at Books

The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism, edited by Ronald Hamowy. 623p. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2008. 978-1-4129-6580-4; 2008-9151. $125.

Most people in the United States equate the term “Libertarian” to a long-running political party on the fringes of American politics. However, libertarian thought, with its emphasis on individual liberties and minimalist government, is part of a centuries-old philosophical tradition whose ideas have shaped the American republic from its very beginning. That movement, based largely on the ideas of John Locke and emphasizing human liberty, would not earn the name of liberalism until the early nineteenth century. From the Bill of Rights to the encouragement of free trade, liberal ideas have long been part of American government. Over time, the drift of liberal philosophy to conservatism and the equation in the American mind of liberalism to social democracy led in the twentieth century to the appearance of the new term “libertarian.” For the past half century, that movement has been distinguished by calls for a non-interventionist foreign policy, smaller government, lower taxes, greater individual freedoms and a free-market economy. Those same ideas have heavily influenced mainstream politics as well.

This new encyclopedia explores the intellectual foundations of libertarianism. With the emphasis primarily on theory, many of the more than 300 essays describe the contributions of philosophers and theorists to Libertarian thought, from the Enlightenment to the present. From John Locke, Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau to H.L. Mencken, Ayn Rand and Karl Popper, the works of each thinker are discussed in relation to the tensions between governmental power and individual freedoms. Particular attention is given to economic theorists like Adam Smith, Carl Menger and Milton Friedman. Numerous entries explore Libertarian response to government action on a wide range of policy issues. From abortion and antitrust legislation to war powers and the welfare state, many governmental practices have attracted specific libertarian critiques. The historical relationship of libertarianism to major events and other movements is reviewed in articles on such topics as the Glorious Revolution, capitalism, slavery, Prohibition and fascism. All entries are prepared by experienced scholars and include suggestions for further reading. An excellent index makes it easy to discern the often mutual influence of different events, individuals and movements. This useful guide fills a long-standing gap in reference collections, and will serve students of philosophy, political science and intellectual history.
—John R.M. Lawrence