Liberty
Flom Mrs Teresa E. Gorman I refer to the correspondence between Mr B. P. °rehaM and Mr Folkes; may I speak up for the -ism lihertY, libertarianism? It is a comparatively new word in the UK and much misused. The origination of the word is claimed by Leonard Read whose Foundation for Economic Education 1-ISA) has for many years devoted itself to laissez fair in economics and individual freedom. He c:ined it as a substitute for the word 'Liberal', the origin meaning of which had become debased as
Political groups of all persuasions claimed it as a catchword.
Unless we are also to debase the meaning of the wurd libertarianism it cannot, as Mr Boreham asserts, stand for "right-wing authoritarianism in all but Purely economic aspects of thinking”. Libertarians believe that people have a natural right to their life, iihertY and the product of their labour and should be free to live as they choose, restrained only by the equal rights of all other citizens. Such a philosophy Precludes the use of violence except in self-defence and oert.,:._.
, gaily excludes all forms of authoritarianism.
al their desire for freedom and for the withering WaY of state authority libertarians have more in common with the original ideaology of the left than With the right (fascism or national socialism), which as Mr Boreham correctly states is socialism allied With the ruling elite and maintained there by force. t It is not surprising that Mr Boreham is confused; .2(laY all three main political parties reflect the lueo_ logy of national socialism. But libertarianism stands in a class on its own; in favour of laissez-faire in economics which, if properly aPrilied, automatically requires individual liberty for the citizen. _Incidentally there is now a small but growing Libertarian Party in the US. 58 HoPton Road, London SWI6 Teresa E. Gorman
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