Learn about Libertarianism
Okay, boys and girls, sitting up straight. I know you've come to my class to talk about publicly-funded services like health and education. But there are many people who would bristle at this. They call themselves libertarians. You should get to know them a bit, because some are saying very unkind things about you and your government.
Rather than relying on talk-back radio or Fox News, I turn your attention to the Cato Institute, which presents libertarianism in a reasoned and reasonable manner. Amongst several issues from their Cato Unbound publication, I'd recommend reading extracts of:
March, 2007: Libertarianism: Past and Prospects
February 2009: An Appreciation of Partisanship
April, 2009: From Scratch: Libertarian Institutions and Communities
That last issue includes contributions by Facebook investor and libertarian Peter Thiel.
Your homework is to report how deliberative democracy can and should engage libertarians without threatening their commitment to autonomous life.
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