I am a libertarian because:

• I like the principle.  It’s simple, it’s nice and it applies to everyone.  It occurs to me that it is simple in two different ways.  First of all it is simple to state.  Second it is simple to follow - don’t use force.
• I like the outturn.  Freer is better.
• freer societies are better at defending themselves. 

Why are you so concerned about societies being able to defend themselves?

Because if they can’t they’ll get taken over.  You can be the greatest society on Earth but if you can be invaded (and Lord knows, historically there have been enough people who have tried) then you will be and an entirely different regime will be imposed. 

1. I suppose we should add in the common objection that economic freedom means that factory owners can close down their factories at will putting thousands on the dole.

   To which Jonathan Wilde has an elegant riposte.

   Well, almost.  I think the real point here is that all progress is accompanied by a certain amount of destruction.  Not so nice if you happen to be in that part that gets destroyed.  But just about every industry over the years has been destroyed - or, at least, massively changed - at some point.

   Posted by Patrick Crozier on  13 April 2007