Radical Austrianism, Radical Libertarianism

In this ten-lecture seminar sponsored by Steven Berger, the roots and reach of both Libertarian and Austrian theory are covered by a leading authority: Walter Block. The economic theory is value-free, but it takes flight when combined with a theory of natural rights in the Thomist-Rothbardian tradition.

Download the complete audio of this event (ZIP) here.

Walter Block
Free trade is "I give you something; you give me something in return". Trade rights are part of property rights. Nosick calls trade a capitalist act between consenting adults. If you trade, you won't fight. It becomes harder to have wars. Trade benefits all parties.
Walter Block
Environmentalism sees market failure as the cause of environmental problems. Block sees the absence of private property rights and the interference of government as the causes of problems. Libertarianism provides solutions. Man is not a cancer on the planet. Markets have not failed.
Walter Block
Libertarians do not favor abortion (pro-choice). Nor are they opposed to it either (pro-life). Rather, libertarianism offers a philosophical compromise, evictionism. When does life begin? A fertilized egg seems the likely beginning.
Walter Block
Libertarian punishment theory is two teeth for a tooth plus cost of capturing plus scaring if appropriate. It is part of reparations. It is necessary to find the rightful owner of property even if many generations have passed. But, the burden of proof of ownership gets harder.