Basic, natural human rights have been identified as the bulwark against government oppression and tyranny—- by John Locke, for example —- but are always disputed by skeptics on numerous grounds. Human Rights and Human Liberties takes up the challenge of those disputes and argues that human beings do indeed have the fundamental, unalienable rights to their lives, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and so forth —- indeed, to do whatever they will that does not violate the rights of others (even if the exercise of their rights isn't wise, prudent, or civil). That is the meaning of living as free adult men and women, with all the benefits and risks that flow from it. This book is especially germane now that the most prominent legal theorists in the West tend to dismiss basic human rights and even insist they are grants of governments, just as this had been viewed in earlier times when monarchs and such were believed to rule people and grant them some privileges.

This book delivers concise, yet insightful summaries of the crucial political systems and the ideas of prominent political philosophers throughout history. It is designed to provide students new to the field with a familiarity of the various political viewpoints, as a matter of conscientious citizenship. From Conservatism, to Monarchism, to Socialism, Introduction to Political Philosophy examines a wide range of influential political systems and illustrates how most societies around the globe exhibit a blend of systems. Students will also learn about the influences and ideas of the great political philosophers, including Socrates, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, and Marx. This is an ideal supplement for introductory level courses dealing with the complexities of political thought, or anyone interested in developing a baseline understanding of political philosophy.

This text provides an analysis of modern libertarian thought. Divided into three parts, the text: introduces libertarianism and outlines approaches by which it may be justified; examines how a libertarian society might deal with various social problems; and responds to criticisms of libertarianism.

Basic, natural human rights have been identified as the bulwark against government oppression and tyranny—- by John Locke, for example —- but are always disputed by skeptics on numerous grounds. Human Rights and Human Liberties takes up the challenge of those disputes and argues that human beings do indeed have the fundamental, unalienable rights to their lives, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and so forth —- indeed, to do whatever they will that does not violate the rights of others (even if the exercise of their rights isn't wise, prudent, or civil). That is the meaning of living as free adult men and women, with all the benefits and risks that flow from it. This book is especially germane now that the most prominent legal theorists in the West tend to dismiss basic human rights and even insist they are grants of governments, just as this had been viewed in earlier times when monarchs and such were believed to rule people and grant them some privileges.

This book delivers concise, yet insightful summaries of the crucial political systems and the ideas of prominent political philosophers throughout history. It is designed to provide students new to the field with a familiarity of the various political viewpoints, as a matter of conscientious citizenship. From Conservatism, to Monarchism, to Socialism, Introduction to Political Philosophy examines a wide range of influential political systems and illustrates how most societies around the globe exhibit a blend of systems. Students will also learn about the influences and ideas of the great political philosophers, including Socrates, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, and Marx. This is an ideal supplement for introductory level courses dealing with the complexities of political thought, or anyone interested in developing a baseline understanding of political philosophy.

This text provides an analysis of modern libertarian thought. Divided into three parts, the text: introduces libertarianism and outlines approaches by which it may be justified; examines how a libertarian society might deal with various social problems; and responds to criticisms of libertarianism.