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Elements of Libertarian Leadership
In Read's work titled Elements of Libertarian Leadership, there will be traces of philosophy for, without some of it, the methods would be attached to no purpose. Perhaps to establish an author-reader understanding at the outset, an important philosophical definition is in order. However, this volume contains little that is new, except the arrangement. Most of the material has appeared over the past five years in books and pamphlets, some of it in The Freeman and Notes from FEE, publications of The Foundation for Economic Education, Inc. This is an attempt to organize the numerous materials into a single, usable manual for those who would give liberty a hand.
- GenresPolitics
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 12, 2022
2022-08-25 Just read the second of a series of two wonderful articles by Dan Sanchez at FEE-dot-org "How a Tiny Minority Can Lead the World Toward Liberty" that used the ideas of this book by Leonard Read to explain how positive change can and does work. The first article was entitled: "When Meddlers Run Amok."
And here is the brief statement by Read, quoted in both articles, which sums up this book:
“Here, then,” Read wrote, “is the key question: What constitutes an influential opinion? In the context of moral, social, economic, and political philosophy, influential opinion stems from or rests upon (1) depth of understanding, (2) strength of conviction, and (3) the power of attractive exposition. These are the ingredients of self-perfection as relating to a set of ideas. Persons who thus improve their understanding, dedication, and exposition are the leaders of men; the rest of us are followers, including the out-front political personalities.”
I highly recommend those recent articles as well as this book, that is the key to them.
2021-01-16 - I read this book (an earlier edition) in the late 70s or early 80s and was very taken by it's lessons. It dealt primarily with the proper methodology of promoting a free (libertarian) society.
Proper premises and methods were key to Read. I fully agree with him on that, and why I am writing this review today, since I recently read a letter on one group's method for moving the country in a more free and just direction and it reminded me of this book.
The main thing I remember, after all these years after reading this book, is that the problem is not a "selling" one - how to sell the ideas of a free society better than the "Know-it-alls" who are constantly putting up government constraints on individuals living their lives in peace. The real problem is how people can learn better to be better examples of the benefits of free societies, shining beacons of the truth, the beauty and excellence of a free and just society.
Encouraging everyone to be the very best self-learner and best example of virtuous and wise living is what Read was most trying to convey.
And on that point, I will stop, for I certainly need to re-read this book, to correct any errors I have already made in this review, after so many years from when I read it. For I really do want to be a good example and just be the best explainer of free markets vs. socialism/authoritarianism/coercive collectivism, etc. I can possibly be.
How about you?
And here is the brief statement by Read, quoted in both articles, which sums up this book:
“Here, then,” Read wrote, “is the key question: What constitutes an influential opinion? In the context of moral, social, economic, and political philosophy, influential opinion stems from or rests upon (1) depth of understanding, (2) strength of conviction, and (3) the power of attractive exposition. These are the ingredients of self-perfection as relating to a set of ideas. Persons who thus improve their understanding, dedication, and exposition are the leaders of men; the rest of us are followers, including the out-front political personalities.”
I highly recommend those recent articles as well as this book, that is the key to them.
2021-01-16 - I read this book (an earlier edition) in the late 70s or early 80s and was very taken by it's lessons. It dealt primarily with the proper methodology of promoting a free (libertarian) society.
Proper premises and methods were key to Read. I fully agree with him on that, and why I am writing this review today, since I recently read a letter on one group's method for moving the country in a more free and just direction and it reminded me of this book.
The main thing I remember, after all these years after reading this book, is that the problem is not a "selling" one - how to sell the ideas of a free society better than the "Know-it-alls" who are constantly putting up government constraints on individuals living their lives in peace. The real problem is how people can learn better to be better examples of the benefits of free societies, shining beacons of the truth, the beauty and excellence of a free and just society.
Encouraging everyone to be the very best self-learner and best example of virtuous and wise living is what Read was most trying to convey.
And on that point, I will stop, for I certainly need to re-read this book, to correct any errors I have already made in this review, after so many years from when I read it. For I really do want to be a good example and just be the best explainer of free markets vs. socialism/authoritarianism/coercive collectivism, etc. I can possibly be.
How about you?
August 1, 2015
A very inspiring book in its whole - especially the final chapters. At times it uses a bit too many words to get the point across, and in my taste at parts a bit high flying, but the overall message will without doubt serve me well.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews