Political Theory

Liberty and Violence: From Auberon Herbert to Steven Pinker

ABSTRACT

This conference explored the relationship between liberty and violence, with emphasis on exploring the view that there has been an overall decline of violence throughout human history. The relationship between individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace was also considered. The conference made ample usage of Steven Pinker's book The Better Angels of Our Nature.

READING LIST

Conference Readings

Herbert, Auberon. The Right and Wrong of Compulsion by the State and Other Essays. Edited by Eric Mack. Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1978.

Payne, James L. A History of Force: Exploring the worldwide movement against habits of coercion, bloodshed, and mayhem. Sandpoint: Lytton Publishing Company, 2004.

Pinker, Steven. The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. New York: Viking/Penguin Group, 2011.