Matt Zwolinski

Libertarianism is often thought to be an ideology of the extreme right. But as Matt Zwolinski and John Tomasi demonstrate in their recent book, "The Individualists", libertarianism actually emerged in the mid-nineteenth century with an unwavering commitment to progressive causes, from women’s rights and the fight against slavery to anti-colonialism and Irish emancipation. Today, this movement founded on the principle of individual liberty finds itself divided by both progressive and reactionary elements vying to claim it as their own.

In this talk, Matt Zwolinski discusses the untold story of a political doctrine continually reshaped by fierce internal tensions, bold and eccentric personalities, and shifting political circumstances. He traces the history of libertarianism from its origins as a radical progressive ideology in the 1850s to its crisis of identity today, examining the doctrine’s evolution through six defining themes: private property, skepticism of authority, free markets, individualism, spontaneous order, and individual liberty. Matt shows how the movement took a turn toward conservatism during the Cold War, when the dangers of communism at home and abroad came to dominate libertarian thinking.

Audiences will come away with an appreciation for a political tradition that is wider, more diverse, and more contentious than many of us realize. And a better understanding of how that tradition illuminates the political landscape of today.