Libertarianism: For and Against offers dueling perspectives on the scope of legitimate government. Tibor R. Machan, a well-known political philosopher with libertarian convictions, argues for a minimal government devoted solely to protecting individual rights to life, liberty, and property. Stressing the sovereignty of each individual, Machan argues in favor of limiting democracy's scope and against the redistribution of wealth, or any other sort of taxation. In opposition to libertarianism, philosopher Craig Duncan defends democratic liberalism, which aims to ensure that all citizens have fair access to a life of dignity. This requires measures to protect equality of opportunity, as well as measures to ensure all have access to a decent minimum standard of living. In a dynamic exchange of arguments, critiques, and rebuttals, the two philosophers cut to the heart of this important debate, articulating and defending competing conceptions of such core values as political freedom and equality.

Craig Duncan is assistant professor of philosophy at Ithaca College, New York. Tibor R. Machan is R. C. Hoiles Professor of Business Ethics and Free Enterprise at Chapman University, California.

Chapter 1 Acknowledgements
Chapter 2 Foreword
Chapter 3 A Note to Readers
Chapter 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 5 The Case for Libertarianism: Sovereign Individuals
Chapter 6 The Errors of Libertarianism
Chapter 7 Fairness-or Equality-is no Imperative
Chapter 8
Chapter 2
Chapter 9 Democratic Liberalism: The Politics of Dignity
Chapter 10 The Follies of Democratic Liberalism
Chapter 11 Democratic Liberalism Defended
Chapter 12 Index