Liberalism

In the Classical Tradition

By: Ludwig von Mises

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1927, classical liberalism, based on a belief in individualism, reason, capitalism, and free trade, was dying, when one of the 20th century's greatest social thinkers wrote this combative and convincing restatement. Nowhere are the key principles of Mises' philosophy better represented than in this timeless work.

Mises was a careful and logical theoretician who believed that ideas rule the world, and this especially comes to light in Liberalism.

"The ultimate outcome of the struggle" between liberalism and totalitarianism, say Mises, "will not be decided by arms, but by ideas. It is ideas that group men into fighting factions, that press the weapons into their hands, and that determine against whom and for whom the weapons shall be used. It is they alone, and not arms, that, in the last analysis, turn the scales."

Public Domain (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Brilliant book for a Zimbabwean who has seen 261 billion per cent inflation.

This speaks of the pillars to developing an economy and mindset for meeting material needs for Africans

Must read for all 'liberals '

it's the kind of book everyone must read. For liberals it's necessary to read and understand to regain the understanding of a liberal world. Today's modern liberal has abandoned Liberty for poverty and enslavement.

still relevant

for being written 94 years ago, this book is still relevant, and provides a long-range context and historical perspective of, and argument in favor of...liberalism, against socialism. The reader's Mary Poppins accent used too much vocal inflection for my liking.

Reader hard to listen to.

The book is very good, however I found the reader's voice difficult to listen to. Fortunately it was not a long book.

AMAZING!!

This book was absolutely AMAZING!!! Mises is a brilliant thinker and an extremely eloquent writer!

Classical Liberalism Explained

Ludwig Von Mises does a thorough job of explaining classical liberalism in this book. I must admit that its characteristics are in American society, largely nonexistent. Special interests have massively co-opted nearly all of our institutions (both private and public). Nevertheless, we must be prepared to give an answer to those who are, or will be disillusioned by the current state of affairs. To that end, this book is very helpful!

Classical Liberalism Defined

The meaning of the modem use of the term "liberal" is in direct opposition to that of it's origin. True liberalism is the advocation for maximum liberty. Mises argues that there were no better terms to describe this philosophy and that there were no political parties that truly favored liberalism. The label "libertarian" best fulfills this purpose and despite it's many current shortcomings, the Libertarian Party is meant to be that political institution. I believe the terms "liberal" and "liberalism" may be forever lost, but the ideas will continue on. This book does an excellent job at explaining these ideas and extolling their righteous virtue!

True Liberalism

The term “Liberal” has been subsequently perverted & subjugated by today’s Leftists going back to the early 1950s. In 1927 Von Mises mapped out what true Liberalism is in view of the 18th-19th centuries when the term was birthed and stood for non government intervention in the economy and non government interference in the lives of individuals. Today’s true Liberals - Classical Liberals - need to reclaim the “Liberal” moniker.

A very worthwhile listen

If you are interested in a clear, short, and many faceted defense of classical liberalism, then this book is definitely worth your time.

It has around 25 common criticisms of liberalism, and those are addressed briefly in order. though the defenses are not exhaustive, they do set a good standard.

If you are a student, definitely give this (free) audiobook a listen!

interesting concepts

many interesting concepts and ideas that seem good as rules of thumb, but he ignores important exceptions and contradictions. for example should the military buy it's weapons from the cheap overseas producer and make itself fragile to supply chain issues or protect the local weapons industry and violate his ideas on tarrifs, government intervention and monopolies? quite a few surprises, his emphasis on the importance of world peace, one world government and social cooperation might surprise modern libertarians. especially interesting to read after covid