Friday, July 31, 2009

Recommendation: Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin

I'm a bit late to the party on Mark Levin's Liberty and Tyranny, which came out a while ago, but at the time my list of books to read really was that high.  Though the furor has died down somewhat now, I have to say I agree with it - this book is excellent!

For people who want a clear definition (or better understanding) of the conservative philosophy, it doesn't get any better than this.  Levin methodically lays out a map of conservative philosophy, defining it, explaining its goals, and revealing its motivations.  He also relates how conservatism was the primary philosophy of the Founders, and why America has become so prosperous and powerful because of that foundation.  Along the way, Levin contrasts conservatism with Statism, and shows how it is a deficient and bankrupt philosophy that runs counter to America's foundations and history.  Levin also applies conservative philosophy to several specific key issues, including faith, environmentalism, immigration, the Constitution and law, free markets and welfare, federalism, and more.  He cites study after book after research paper that shows how statism is destroying this country bit by bit, and how the proper application of conservatism restores it.  If you follow politics closely, you've probably already seen some of the data he uses to support his arguments, but for someone less politically geeky this is an outstanding primer on conservatism.

Levin finishes with a bullet point list of the things that conservatives need to do in order to return the nation to its conservative foundations.  Unfortunately, we are living at a time when statists are in almost complete control of the government.  As such, we have the opportunity to boldly contrast their ways with those of both the Founders and contemporary conservatives, and set America back on the correct path toward freedom, global leadership, and prosperity, and Levin's book is a great roadmap to follow.

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