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Traditionally, voluntaryism has only been concerned with physical coercion, or physical aggression. In "Voluntaryism Transcends Anarchism" I gave my thoughts on how voluntaryism should have a much broader application. Politics and the economy are important in voluntaryist thought, but so should be societal culture and parenting and childhood development. The arguments against the use of physical coercion abound in voluntaryism and libertarian thought, with a growing emphasis on the use of violence in the home. But what seems lacking is an analysis on non-physical forms of coercion. Let's fix that. Read the rest at EVC.

So I finished the Harry Potter series. I was very impressed with Rowling's story telling. It was absolutely superb. On par with Tolkien, no question. I hope she'll either write more in the HP universe, or create something new and amazing, though she's set herself a pretty high bar. This isn't to say there weren't flaws, but everyone I've read lately (Verne, Tolkien, Lewis, Card, Burroughs, Anthony) has had flaws. Unlike those wonderful writers, however, she's the only one that's made my eyes water, and more than once. My hat's off to J. K. Rowling.

My column praising illegal immigrants led to one discussion where I was asked where I believe rights come from. I responded that I do not think that rights exist outside our minds; that is, rights are the result of a construction of concepts that takes places in the minds of individuals. Therefore, they come from rational analysis and logical deduction. This discussion eventually had me using Hans Hoppe's "argumentation ethics" (AE) to explain self-ownership and while doing so AE not only became clearer to me than it had previously been, but I also found myself looking at AE from a different perspective than everything I've read on it. Let me explain. Read the rest at EVC.

In discussion with left-anarchists, I've heard the argument that private property is just another form of the state because private property owners exercise the same monopoly powers over their property. This claims overlooks an important element of libertarian theory, that initiatory aggression can only be retaliated against with like, or proportionate, aggression. Allow me to explain. Read the rest of my latest at EVC.

Most conservatives and many "libertarians" decry the presence of illegal immigrants in the United States and elsewhere. They seemingly consider them to be less than human, calling them "illegals" with an air of contempt. It also seems that, to them, one of the worst crimes one could commit is the act of immigrating, that is "moving," without permission from the state. Are "illegals" less than human? Is their crime among the worst that can be committed? I give a resounding "NO!" in answer to both questions. In fact, I consider "illegals" to be the best residents a country can have. Here's why. Read the rest of my latest at EVC.

In September 2013, LPL sold 255 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 26 copies,  Our Enemy, the State  - Albert Jay Nock 18 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger 17 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 17 copies, Bourbon for Breakfast  - Jeffrey A. Tucker 10 copies, Economic Depressions  - Murray N. Rothbard LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: 559 copies, For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard 378 copies, Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock 237 copies, Principles of Economics - Carl Menger 126 copies, Great Wars and Great Leaders - Ralph Raico 114 copies, Bourbon for Breakfast  - Jeffrey A. Tucker