Liberty Lost?
Or
To What Extent Have the United States of America Become Collectivist To The Detriment of Individualism?
This dissertation charts the
changes throughout history in the balance between collectivism and
individualism in United States federal government policy. It is argued
that collectivism has become more prominent to the detriment of
individual liberty, especially since the twentieth century. Particular
attention is paid to the relationship between collectivist policies and
an inflationary monetary system. The issue of military conscription is
also examined. The dissertation concludes that the trend towards
collectivism, though alarming and harmful, is neither sustainable nor
inevitable.
Here is a link to my BA Politics
dissertation, described above. It is just over 13 000 words long and
gives an overview of US history, economics and military conscription
from a right-of-centre libertarian viewpoint. I argue that since 1900, perhaps 1860,
collectivism has indeed been growing to the detriment of individualism,
but that this trend cannot continue indefinitely.
I'd be grateful if any Mises.org members can read all or part of it and tell me what they think :) !
http://download.shedplant.net/Liberty%20Lost.pdf