General

Re: Greatest libertarians

Rodriguez — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:56:55 GMT

There is a big difference between ranking Libertarians and ranking Economists. I feel some of you are attempting to do both.

Here's my list of Libertarians, which are more of a activist nature, and more influential, than the academic/philosopher type.

1. Rothbard

2. Paul, history will prove it...

3. Jefferson

4. Mises

5. Rand

If we are speaking Libertarian Economists/Philosphers:

Bohm-Bawerk

Mises

Rothbard

Bastiat

Wieser

Re: Greatest libertarians

Bert — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:37:53 GMT

I would say that Rothbard's contributions and impact are both high, but he did not originate the theories. He systamized Mises/Nock/Spooner/Locke et al.

I feel if you're going to make a list like this it should be varied, and putting down the originators is something that needs to be taken into consideration. As far as putting Rand...like 2 years ago I would have agreed, but besides her fiction I don't see much to offer once you get in depth with her. I could completely disregard Objectivism and be fine with it, and I don't really see what Objectivism has to offer to the Austro-libertarian or anarcho-capitalist framework when you can find actual theorists who make good contributions. (Well, she can be on the list, but not top 5.)

Re: Greatest libertarians

Aristophanes — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:04:54 GMT

Oh c'mon, in the classical tradition, there aren't any better than Mill. He's no Spooner, haha, but I don't mean to be in tier of "anarchist" as opposed to 'libertarian' or 'classical liberal.'

Re: Greatest libertarians

Aristippus — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:59:57 GMT

Mill? He was a statist if there ever was one.

Re: Greatest libertarians

Williamloveseconomics — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:32:44 GMT

1) Rothbard

2) Mises

3) Jefferson

4) Spooner

5) Locke

*honorable mentions: Friedman, Ron Paul, and Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged was the first book i ever fully read. The book help me, at the time, feel like there has to be true individualist other than myself.)

Re: Greatest libertarians

Aristophanes — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:12:05 GMT

I totally think you should lose Adam Smith. Statists cling to Smith for some of their basic economic arguments. I'd use John Stuart Mill instead.

Re: Greatest libertarians

Eugene — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:21:43 GMT

But neither of them was an anarchist!

Re: Greatest libertarians

Eugene — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:21:27 GMT

My updated list.

1. John Locke

John Locke is the father of classical liberalism. His theory of natural rights, homesteading, individualism and property rights provide the foundation for the entire movement. He is definitely the greatest libertarian of all times.

2. Murray Rothbard

This genius of original thinking almost single handedly invented and matured the anarcho-capitalism political theory. His writings on economy, legal issues, history and philosophy are so extensive and so innovative, that his place as the greatest intellectual of the 20th century is guaranteed.

3. Thomas Jefferson

While Locke was the founder of liberalism, Thomas Jefferson was its first practitioner. The declaration of independence of the United States that he authored is a huge monument for limited and restrained government. Jefferson has contributed immensely to the successful and in fact the only implementation of libertarian ideals in a modern state.

4. Adam Smith

Adam Smith provided the foundation of libertarian economics. He gave 19th century the sharpest defense for accumulation of wealth and for free trade. He successfully criticized mercantilism, and his influence on policy makers and the general public is unsurpassed by any other libertarian.

5. Ludwig Von Mises

Ludwig Von Mises's contribution to the philosophical basis for libertarian economy (praxeology), his theory on calculation problems of centrally planned economies, and his explanation of business cycles gives Ludwig Von-Mises a place as the greatest economist of the 20th century. But even more important was Mises's foundation of Austrian school of economics, the only school of economics in the 20th century that kept the fire of true libertarianism and didn't let it extinguish.

Re: Greatest libertarians

Aristophanes — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:15:05 GMT

From my previous post

"He systamized Mises/Nock/Spooner/Locke et al."

Re: Greatest libertarians

Eugene — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:05:22 GMT

What are you talking about? He basically invented anarcho-capitalism and showed how it can be practical.

Re: Greatest libertarians

Aristophanes — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:53:19 GMT

I'd have the list be based on tw othings, contributions and impact.

I would say that Rothbard's contributions and impact are both high, but he did not originate the theories. He systamized Mises/Nock/Spooner/Locke et al.

Re: Greatest libertarians

Eugene — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:49:04 GMT

Okay, I revise my list and put Thomas Jefferson as #3, thus displacing Friedman.

Re: Greatest libertarians

RothbardsDisciple — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:48:46 GMT

Rothbard is #1 and then there isn't anyone after him for a very, very long time. And only then you have the distant second, third, etc.

QFT!

Re: Greatest libertarians

Marko — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:44:26 GMT

Rothbard is #1 and then there isn't anyone after him for a very, very long time. And only then you have the distant second, third, etc.

Also Rand and Hayek for me don't even belong on a list of libertarians as such.

Re: Greatest libertarians

My Buddy — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:45:05 GMT

Molinari and Bastiat ought to be up there