Looking at public policy debates in conventional terms—in terms of conflict between the left and the right—has grown increasingly cumbersome in an era where conservatives call themselves revolutionaries and liberals strike positively Burkean poses when it comes to reforming Social Security or Medicare. Through an examination of the libertarian worldview, once on the margins of American politics but now in the mainstream, William E. Hudson shows how it has attracted powerful political supporters and is promoted by a network of institutions and policy advocates dedicated to its ideals. The Libertarian Illusion offers a well researched, balanced, and systematic critique of libertarian policy proposals on both the conservative (taxation and fiscal policy, health care, social security, and business regulation) and liberal (abortion, stem cell research, and euthanasia) sides of the traditional political spectrum.

Always engaging and provocative, Hudson hones in on the fundamental value differences that drive political debate, arguing that a more communitarian outlook offers solutions more likely to solve America’s policy problems.

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1. The Libertarian Illusion in Contemporary Public Policy and the Case for a Communitarian Alternative
What are libertarian and communitarian approaches to public policy; what are their philosophical roots; and why do they define contemporary public policy choices?

2. The Federal Budget: Community Needs vs. Private Wants
Should the future of American society result primarily from individual choices in the marketplace or from democratic choices made through government?

3. Deregulation: From Crowded Skies to Rolling Blackouts
Do markets work best if unimpeded or can regulation make them work better and achieve worthy non-market values?

4. Social Security: The Battle over Privatization
Should Americans be individually or collectively responsible for their well-being in retirement?

5. Health Care: The Limits of Markets
Can better health be bought and sold in the market?

6. Policies Regarding Birth and Death: Individual Autonomy versus Community Interest
Should individuals be left to choose the beginning and end of human life as matters of individual privacy?

7. Conclusion

“What an interesting and provocative book! William Hudson does an excellent job in linking the foundations of libertarian political thought to challenging contemporary public policy debates. This book should be of great interest to faculty, students, and activists who are interested in making important and powerful connections between political theory and public policy. I can't recommend it highly enough.”

“I found this book to be incredibly interesting, well-documented, and an excellent addition to both the political theory literature that is out there and texts covering the major points of American political history. Hudson’s descriptions of Libertarian positions are fair and clear. He ‘sets ‘em up and knocks ‘em down,’ but does so in a way that does not distort the Libertarian positions or alter them to have to fit his model. I think this work contributes nicely to our theoretical debate concerning the political spectrum and political ideologies, in general. I would feel comfortable using it in either my intro classes or my upper level or graduate courses. Hudson has a ‘winner’ on his hands here.”

William E. Hudson is professor of political science at Providence College. He is the author of The Libertarian Illusion, American Democracy in Peril, 5th Edition, and Experiencing Citizenship: Concepts and Models for Service-Learning in Political Science (with Richard Battistoni). Hudson has published numerous articles on public policy issues in journals such as Political Science Quarterly, Polity, Western Political Quarterly, Economic Development Quarterly, and Policy Studies Journal.