A Bibliography for the Ron Paul Revolutionary

by Max Raskin
by Max Raskin

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The distinguishing characteristic of the Ron Paul supporter is his passion for substance. In contradistinction the Huckabee devotee or the Obama sycophant, Paulists are more interested in ideas than they are in hype and presentation. They don’t come to Paul because he sounds like a gospel minister preaching fire, brimstone, and bromides or because he can vacuously orate banal pleas for "change." Instead, the come to listen to philosophy. They come for lectures on economics and history.

In short, supporters of Paul are smart. And this is why he is going to win.

Do I think he is going to be our next president? No.

But I do think that Paul has ushered in a new freedom movement in America. With hundreds of thousands of his supporters around the country, the seeds of a great social change have been sown. While the blimp, the signs, and the slimjims are fun, they mean little. What counts are the ideas that Paul has exposed to the country. If he has tried to make one point during the campaign, it is that the philosophy of liberty is bigger than himself.

So why are some putting all their faith in electoral politics? This is an unwise strategy that will lead to disaffection. And even if he does win, without a rigorous intellectual defense of his ideas, the public will care little for his radicalism.

Putting one’s faith in Paul will breed disappointment and apathy.

If, however, even a small percentage of his new supporters continue to dedicate themselves to the message, real change will come.

Right now, what we need more than anything are people to take up the mantle of libertarianism and change our current intellectual paradigm. After two hundred years of Marxism and Keynesianism, we can see the power of ideas. The job is to spread the ideas. But first, it is to learn them.

At first this may seem daunting, but there are good places to start. What I’ve done here is compile a bibliography for those interested in Ron Paul and his philosophy. Some people will get bitten with the "bug" as Walter Block likes to say. They will voraciously devour these speeches, books, and articles. Some will merely skim through what interests them. But I wanted people to know that the philosophy of freedom is more than just Paul.
These are the giants whose shoulder’s he stands on:

Economics

Murray Rothbard’s "Mises in One Lesson" – this lecture turned me into an Austrian. Rothbard, a close friend and adviser to Paul, was one of the most influential libertarian thinkers and here he gives his introduction to the Austrian school of economics.

Economic Policy: Thoughts for Today and Tomorrow by Ludwig von Mises – Ron Paul frequently cites Mises as one of his intellectual heroes and has a picture of him hanging in his Congressional office. In this short monograph, Mises encapsulates the essence of the Austrian school of economics. He is unwavering in his support of laissez-faire capitalism and unrelenting in his attacks on socialism, inflationism, and interventionism.

Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt – This is the book that inspired Lew Rockwell. It is written to a general audience, explaining how to think like an economist. Hazlitt shows us that we should not only look at things as they are, but how they would be if the government did not intervene in the market. It exposes the unintended consequences of intervention in the economy. It stands as a sharp rebuke of Keynesianism, arguably the doctrine of President Bush.

Libertarian Politics

For a New Liberty by Murray Rothbard – this is the manifesto of libertarian political philosophy. Starting with the simple premise that man should be free provided he does no harm, Rothbard unflinchingly leads the reader into a radical realm where conscription is slavery, taxation is theft, and government is negation of freedom.

Defending the Undefendable by Walter Block – but what about drug users! And prostitutes! Such is the response to the libertarian who believes that freedom means the freedom to make mistakes. Block shows how even the most loathsome, vile members of society provide legitimate functions. He details the effects of government intervention and the problems caused when the humanitarian tries to legislate morality. It is an immensely fun read.

History

How Capitalism Saved America by Thomas DiLorenzo – Our high school history teachers led us to believe that the free market caused the Great Depression, that the Industrial Revolution was caused unspeakable evils, and that capitalism exploited the working class. No wonder we have so much government today. DiLorenzo challenges these views and instead convincingly argues that government interference in the market can only cause problems; that capitalism is what makes a country great.

The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History by Thomas Woods – says Ron Paul, "Professor Woods heroically rescues real history from the politically correct memory hole. Every American should read this book."

Philosophy

"Rothbardian Ethics" by Hans-Hermann Hoppe – this essay serves as an introduction to libertarian philosophy. Hoppe seeks to prove why we have the inalienable rights that are written of by Jefferson. Though we intuit that murder is wrong because people have a right to their bodies, many thinkers have attacked this notion and what it entails. Private property is a basic right, as Hoppe here argues.

The Ethics of Liberty by Murray Rothbard – this is the natural law approach to libertarianism. Though many argue (correctly) that capitalism is the system that produces the most wealth and the highest standards of living, Rothbard goes on to argue that it is also the most just system. The government, when it taxes and regulates, must invariably aggress against the rights of innocent people.

Miscellaneous

A Mencken Chrestomathy by H.L. Mencken – "Democracy is the theory that the common people know that they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." Mencken was one of America’s great writers and was ferocious in his caustic attack on…just about everything.

"Money Banking, and the Federal Reserve" – a documentary on the Federal Reserve produced by the Ludwig von Mises Institute. If the public could see this video instead of merely listening to Paul’s 30-second soundbites, they would demand a change in our monetary policy. (Paul makes an appearance.)

Paul Cantor – for those interested in arts and literature, the lectures of Paul Cantor are a brilliant synthesis of Mises and Shakespeare…of Hayek and South Park.

The Ludwig von Mises Institute and its website are the greatest resources for people interested in Austro-libertarianism. Jeff Tucker and staff of the Institute have tirelessly worked to make every treatise, essay, monograph, video, and lecture they have available for free.

January 9, 2008

Max Raskin [send him mail] goes to high school in New Jersey. He was a summer fellow at the Mises Institute in 2007.

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