[Lnc-business] Fwd: Proposal for Libertarian Party (from Chairman of Mississippi)
Starchild
sfdreamer at earthlink.net
Sun Aug 27 05:41:05 EDT 2017
I've been meaning to follow up on the offer discussed on the LNC list last year to have the LP sell copies of the book "Libertarianism in a Nutshell" by Aaron Barksdale and Joshua Hardy. Unfortunately, having now read the book, I can't in good conscience recommend it for such a project. With all due respect to the Missouri LP chair and his co-author who I believe had good intentions (and did manage to publish an actual book, something I haven't managed myself!), I think there are other introductory libertarian works out there which would better suit our needs.
At the time I was reading "Libertarianism in a Nutshell" late last year or early this year I took some more detailed notes, but managed to misplace them – my long delay in following up on this was due in part to hoping they might turn up. But I do recall, referencing Joshua Katz's message below, noticing numerous grammar and typographic errors (e.g. the table of contents listing incorrect page numbers for various sections), as well as issues of a more substantive nature.
One example of the latter is the following sentence which appears on page 38 (in a chapter explaining the classical liberal point of view): "The only legitimate roles of the state are to provide defense, the protection of rights, and the survival of a state." Besides being grammatically awkward, this sentence seems highly dubious to me as a definitive statement of classical liberalism's take on government (compare with the material at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_liberalism), and the authoritative manner in which the statement is asserted might even give a casual reader flipping through the book the impression that this is what libertarianism holds. I regret to say that the volume is replete with many such problematic passages, and in my view would require some significant editing and revising in order to be "ready for prime time".
By contrast, another introductory libertarian book of similar length I've started reading which appears to be better written, edited, and organized is LP executive director Wes Benedict's "Introduction to the Libertarian Party". Promoting a book written by a current member of staff does raise conflict of interest issues however – although I realize some groups do such things, I'm not sure it sits quite right with me.
Fortunately I don't think there is a shortage of good books on libertarianism out there from which to choose, if we really start looking. A personal favorite, although it is a bit longer than the two aforementioned volumes and therefore would presumably cost more to buy and distribute in bulk, is former LNC member Mary Ruwart's "Healing Our World", which I often recommend to people new to libertarianism who seem willing to read something more in depth than a brochure or brief online description. It is my understanding however that Ruwart may be a presidential candidate for the LP in 2020 however, in which case it would not be right to offer this book at present even if we desired to do so, since doing so would be showing favoritism to a particular candidate prior to our nomination.
In short, although I think the idea of having the LP offer an introductory book on libertarianism as an item for sale or a membership or donor premium or something is a fine one (and possibly has been done before), I have no recommendation at this time.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
RealReform at earthlink.net
(415) 625-FREE
@StarchildSF
On Jun 29, 2016, at 5:46 PM, lnc-votes at hq.lp.org wrote:
> I don't think it matters if it is self published, small press, or large press. I mean that book cover, layout, etc. is at least reasonable. Written means reasonably free of grammar and spelling type errors. I.e. not embarrassing.
On Jun 24, 2016, at 8:05 PM, Starchild wrote:
> Excuse me – I misspoke in the email below. I just realized that I actually already have a copy of Libertarianism in a Nutshell which someone (Aaron Barksdale?) gave me at the convention! I will give it a read.
>
> Love & Liberty,
> ((( starchild )))
> At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee (2016-2018)
> RealReform at earthlink.net
> (415) 625-FREE
>
>
> On Jun 24, 2016, at 2:19 AM, Starchild wrote:
>
>> I appreciate the creative thinking behind this offer, and Aaron Barksdale's interest in seeking a mutually beneficial arrangement with the Libertarian Party over the sale of his book. Having neither read this book myself nor being acquainted with the views of the authors however, I can't vote for an endorsement at this time.
>>
>> If the authors or their publisher wish to send me a review copy for purposes of making this offer, I will read it and after reading, donate the book to the party (to avoid any conflict of interest). If Aaron wishes to have the LNC vote to endorse the book on behalf of the party, I would suggest that providing review copies to members of the LNC on this basis would be in order, so that we will be better informed to make an evaluation.
>>
>> If we do decide that a book promotion deal on a libertarian book is something we'd like to enter into, I believe we should also let our membership know that we are in the market for making a deal of this sort on a libertarian book. It could be that other Libertarians (or libertarians) may have authored (or be prepared to write) books on which they might be willing to offer the party a more attractive deal (not that we are limited to making a single deal, of course). Certainly the quality of the book would matter too – hence my interest in actually reading it before voting on this contract – but I think an open, competitive bidding process is in the interest of the Libertarian Party whenever we are looking to enter into some type of contract or employment relationship.
>>
>> One further somewhat unrelated idea: I'd like to see us hold conventions in locations where we have sufficient space at our disposal for which we do not have to pay anything, so that we can offer vendors such as Aaron Barksdale and his co-author or their publishing company to have booth space at no cost. I believe that maximizing the number of vendors present rather than seeking to make money via charging each individual vendor would be in the party's interest for the following reasons:
>>
>> • It would likely expose convention attendees to many pro-freedom materials they would not otherwise encounter
>>
>> • It would create gratitude toward the LP from vendors who would be afforded a valuable sales opportunity at no cost to themselves
>>
>> • Some of those attending a convention as vendors would likely end up paying for speakers or meals, or donating money or materials to the party, in appreciation of being given the free opportunity to sell their merchandise
>>
>> • If not already libertarians, persons attending as vendors would be exposed to libertarian ideas via interacting with convention attendees even if they do not check out any speakers or other events
>>
>> • The presence of hundreds or thousands of vendors instead of the mere dozens (at most) that we attract now would significantly boost our overall convention attendance numbers, increasing the visibility and clout of our conventions
>>
>> • The presence of hundreds or thousands of vendors offering materials they believe will be of interest to Libertarians would create a unique shopping experience that in and of itself would become a specific additional draw for other convention-goers
>>
>> Love & Liberty,
>> ((( starchild )))
>> At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee (2016-2018)
>> RealReform at earthlink.net
>> (415) 625-FREE
>>
>>
>> On Jun 22, 2016, at 3:03 PM, Arvin Vohra wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all, please consider the following proposal from Aaron Barksdale:
>>> Mr. Vohra;
>>>
>>> Aaron Barksdale, Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Mississippi, here wanting to offer a proposal that is win-win for the LP and myself. I am writing you using a personal e-mail because this is not connected to the MSLP.
>>>
>>> In case you are not aware, the Secretary of the MSLP and I wrote a book called Libertarianism in a Nutshell. Please review the proposal enclosed and contact me if you have any questions or counter offers or to proceed with the proposal.
>>> Thank you,
>>>
>>> Aaron Barksdale
>>> cell: (228)238-7844
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Arvin Vohra
>>>
>>> www.VoteVohra.com
>>> VoteVohra at gmail.com
>>> (301) 320-3634
>>> <LP_Proposal.pdf>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>
>>
>> <LP_Proposal.pdf>
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