Nineteenth-century utilitarians introduced into liberalism ideas incompatible with its essence, thus giving rise to a contemporary “liberalism” that discounts the value of liberty. For genuine liberalism to resist the penetration of alien elements, it must affirm vigorously two basic principles: the presumption of freedom, and the rejection of the rules of submission to political authority.
Anthony de Jasay (1925–2019) was a Research Fellow at the Independent Institute and the author of numerous books including The State, Against Politics, and Justice and its Surroundings.
Government and PoliticsLaw and LibertyPolitical Theory
Other Independent Review articles by Anthony de Jasay
Summer 2010 The Maximizing State
Fall 2006 When Fair Is Not Just and Just Is Not Fair
Summer 1999 On Treating Like Cases Alike
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