:: Philosophy ::

The Businessman's Self-Defense Kit
By Nicholas Provenzo
Understanding how the principle of individual rights applies to our economic relationships is the first step in defending our right to the fruits of our productivity.
» Read the Essay

The Moral Basis of Capitalism
By Robert W. Tracinski
Capitalism is the only moral social system because it is the only system that respects the freedom of the producers to think and the right of the individual to set his own goals and pursue his own happiness.
» Read the Essay

The Moral and the Practical
By Robert W. Tracinski
Capitalism is practical for the same reasons that make it moral: respect for the mind and values of the individual.
» Read the Essay

Production vs. Force
By Robert W. Tracinski
The difference between a businessman's power and the government's power: one wields the power of production, the other the power of the gun.
» Read the Essay

The Environmentalist's Epidemic
By Nicholas Provenzo
In the face of the anti-man actions of the environmentalists, it’s time the veneer that they are concerned about the health and welfare of human beings be removed once and for all.
» Read the Essay

The Libertarian Anti-Manifesto
By S. M. Oliva
By removing all the variables except one—“liberty”—libertarians adopt a simple-minded approach to philosophy.
» Read the Essay

:: The War Against Islamic Jihad  ::

Why a Free Man Fights
By Major Scott D. McDonald, USMC
There comes a time when in order to defend our republic—and by extension our rights—we must carry the fight to the enemy. We are men who have tasted freedom and refuse to live without it. We are men who fight to be free.
» Read the Essay

How Will We Know We Have Won?
By John Bragg
We will know we have won when jihad is acknowledged by Moslems to be a failure. On the day that Moslems are no more likely than Episcopalians to impose their faith by the sword, then we will have won.
» Read the Essay

Judge, be judged and act accordingly
By Nicholas Provenzo
For all the excuses for and evasions of the beliefs of the terrorists, no criticism of faith itself is ever offered. The reason is intellectual pacifism: the view that it is wrong to judge the beliefs of others, even when those beliefs lead to actions that have deadly consequences.
» Read the Essay

:: American History ::

The Stamp Act Crisis: The First Defense of Freedom in America
By J. Patrick Mullins
The American Revolution was, in essence, the American people’s defense of their right not to be deprived of their property without their consent. The Stamp Act Crisis was the first battle in that defense.
» Read the Essay
 

5/16/07: The Genesis of Thought Crime
By Edward Cline
If H.R. 1592 is made law, mind what you say about anyone. Better yet, don’t even think of saying anything.
» Read the article

5/10/07: The Democrats’ Assault on Freedom of Speech
By Edward Cline
A Democratic bill seeks to squeeze the last shred of meaning from the First Amendment.
» Read the article

4/25/07: Crass and Class at George Mason University
By Nicholas Provenzo
Academic freedom means tolerating opposing views and countering them with reason and facts.
» Read the article

4/21/07: Islamic totalitarianism and academic freedom at George Mason University
By Nicholas Provenzo
No one has a right to bar anyone who seeks to peacefully discuss his or her ideas from speaking at George Mason.
» Read the article

4/18/07: Muslim Milquetoasts to the Rescue?
By Edward Cline
Why don't see much in the way of "moderate" Muslims opposing "extremist" Muslims?
» Read the article

» See the index of earlier news items

As recently as the late 1980s, intellectuals were still discussing the supposed approaching convergence between communism and capitalism. It was claimed that the capitalist United States was suffering from an inadequacy of social services, while the Soviet Union failed to protect personal freedom. Faced with such problems, it was argued that the US and Soviet systems would eventually meet halfway, with the US becoming more socialist and the Soviet Union less totalitarian.

It wasn’t until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 that the absurd notion of “convergence” was finally discredited along with most remaining hopes of establishing a so-called socialist paradise. Partly as a result, there was a resurgence of interest in capitalism and the reasons for its success, and a host of books have since been published seeking to explain various aspects of the capitalist system.

What was missing, however, was a single volume that presented the historical origins, moral justification, and practical success of capitalism. Such a volume would correct the misconceptions most people still have of capitalism’s origins and early history, and answer their misgivings over the justice of laissez-faire. Andrew Bernstein’s The Capitalist Manifesto succeeds admirably as such a book. » Read the entire review. » Buy it!
 

The material abundance and individual freedom that is the hallmark of capitalism rests on upon the ethics of self-interest, but today perhaps no code of morality is more misunderstood and maligned. In a profound yet easily accessible text, Craig Biddle demolishes the conventional wisdom that holds sacrifice as a moral ideal and offers a compelling alternative.

Through examples drawn from today's headlines, historical analysis and the examination of leading intellectual thinkers, Loving Life clearly demonstrates that morality is a matter not of divine revelation or social convention or personal opinion—but, rather, of the factual requirements of human life and happiness. Biddle shows how a true morality is derived logically from observable facts, what in essence such a morality demands, and why it is a matter of pure self-interest.

This book is the perfect book to give to a friend or relative who needs an intellectual jumpstart in their lives. » Buy it!

:: Other Recommendations ::

» For even more recommendations and reviews, visit the Center's Bookstore.