Libertarian Philosophy in the Real World : The Politics of Natural Rights

Robert Nozick's Anarchy, State, and Utopia is widely recognized as one of the most influential works of modern political philosophy. Libertarian Philosophy in the Real World not only provides a concise and accessible introduction to Nozick's ideal rights-based, minimal libertarian state, but for the first time applies this moral framework to America's liberal democracy.

Mark D. Friedman clearly presents Nozick's arguments for natural rights, showing that his theory undermines the very idea of social justice, and enables libertarians to rebut the most common objections to their doctrine. The book delivers a withering moral critique of the American welfare state, with chapters devoted to property rights, freedom of expression and association, paternalism, and the state's intervention in discrete aspects of modern life such as public education and healthcare. Friedman argues that reducing the liberal democratic state to its core functions would not produce the sort of moral catastrophe that might make us reconsider our commitment to individual rights. So, what is to be done? Friedman concludes with effective argumentative strategies for moving American politics in a more libertarian direction.

Ideal for undergraduates and above studying political philosophy, political science, political ideology, rights and public policy, this text provides crucial insights into libertarian theory and its application.

"It would be misleading, however, to suggest that Friedman simply speaks to shared beliefs. He often offers arguments that are remarkably lucid, succinct, and thorough, and he is honest when he does not know how to solve a problem." – Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy

“Friedman here extends his natural rights approach to libertarianism – as discussed in Nozick's Libertarian Project – into a series of challenging analyses of currently salient public policy issues: an important work, for libertarians and non-libertarians alike.” —Hillel Steiner, University of Manchester, UK

“... you will enjoy Friedman's new approach to shrinking government, reducing the tax burden, and even applying libertarianism to health care.” —Tevi Troy, author of 'What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Tweeted: 200 Years of Popular Culture in the White House'