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The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism
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The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism

Edited by:

A project of the Cato Institute



August 2008 | 664 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

As a continuation of the older tradition of classical liberalism, libertarian thinking draws on a rich body of thought and scholarship. Contemporary libertarian scholars are continuing that tradition by making substantial contributions to such fields as philosophy, jurisprudence, economics, evolutionary psychology, political theory, and history, in both academia and politics. With more than 300 A-to-Z signed entries written by top scholars, The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism is purposed to be a useful compilation of and introduction to libertarian scholarship. The Encyclopedia starts with an introductory essay offering an extensive historical and thematic overview of key thinkers, events, and publications in the development of libertarian thought. The Reader's Guide groups content for researchers and students alike, allowing them to study libertarianism topically, biographically, and by public policy issues.

Key Features

  • Entries conclude with bibliographies and references for further reading and cross-references to related entries.
  • Each entry provides an introduction to a topic or policy question relevant to libertarianism or a biography of a person who has had an impact on libertarianism.
  • Editors take special care to ensure entries clearly explain libertarian approaches to issues, do not take sides on disputed matters or engage in polemics, and represent the views of all sides fairly and accurately.

Key features
  • Available in both print and electronic formats, the encyclopedia consists of over 300 A-to-Z signed entries, each providing an introduction to a topic or policy question relevant to libertarianism or a biography of a person who has had an impact on libertarianism.
  • Entries conclude with bibliographies and references for further reading and cross-references to related entries.
  • Editors take special care to ensure entries clearly set out libertarian approaches to issues, do not "take sides" on disputed matters or engage in polemics, and represent the views of others fairly and accurately.
  • Although overall organization in the body of the encyclopedia is A-to-Z, entries fall within three categories within which they are grouped in a "Reader's Guide" alternate table of contents included in the front matter: 1) biographical (John Locke, James Madison, Thomas Paine, Ayn Rand, Murray Rothbard, Adam Smith, A. R. J. Turgot, etc.); 2) topical (Bill of Rights, capitalism, classical liberalism, crime & restitution, experimental economics, fusionism, genetics, liability, natural law, objectivism, presumption of liberty, private property, public choice, stoicism, etc.); and 3) policy (abortion, affirmative action, anti-trust, banking & monetary policy, campaign financing, charity, education, entrepreneurship, environmentalism, gambling, illicit drugs, etc.).
  • Among the entries are essays offering criticisms of libertarianism from different perspectives.
  • The work starts with an introductory essay offering an extensive historical and thematic overview of libertarianism, accompanied by a chronology of key events and publications in the development of libertarian thought.

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ISBN: 9781506320007

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ISBN: 9781412965804
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