The Statue of Liberty Stands Tall
Brian Doherty writes in The New York Sun:
New York City is the celebrated center for many vital aspects of American culture: publishing, finance, and the arts. It rarely has been credited, however, as a cutting-edge leader in political ideologies.
But New York also is the breeding ground for a unique and growing American political tendency — the modern American libertarian movement. It might seem ironic that a city that has been, at various times, one of the most overly governed and poorly governed of American cities should be a launching point for the political philosophy of strictly — sometimes totally — limited government. But it is, because of virtues that no amount of poor, local government can kill.
...Ayn Rand...Ludwig von Mises...Murray Rothbard...
Of course, everyone in the smart set knows it has now moved to Auburn.
Comments (3)
I gotta confess I still don't think of New York as a breeding ground for libertarianism. Yes, I know it's there, and I know many of the greats have been there. But for the most part it's socialist to its core.
I'd really, really love it if somehow some libertarian movement could really sweep New York, because then I think it would influence the rest of the country, particularly the ultra-statist urban areas. If someone could solve the puzzle of how to make New York libertarian, then they would've solved the puzzle of how to convince everybody. But I just don't see that coming soon.
Now, somebody please prove me wrong!!!! :D
Published: June 28, 2007 10:52 AM
The greats of liberty lived in NYC because it is the sick that need a doctor the most. NYC is and has been a hot bed for the combined evil forces of the welfare and warfare states. Look at the latest two media sweethearts: 2 Gun Kill'em All Rudy, AND Save the World from Fat, CO2, smoking and illiteracy through higher taxes and violence Bloomberg.
They really need a Rand, Mises or Rothbard more than ever at this point.
Published: June 28, 2007 12:27 PM
New York City was simply the preferred destination for most Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants. As such, it was an important bridgehead for cultural and classical Marxism in the US.
Published: June 28, 2007 1:45 PM