The Oxford Libertarian Society is committed to the advancement of individual liberty, that is, social and economic freedom. We are supporters of private property, the rule of law, free markets and civil liberties.
The Society was founded as the Oxford Hayek Society in 1983 after Friedrich August von Hayek (1899–1992), an Austrian-born economist and political philosopher.
We have links with a number of free-market think tanks, including the Institute of Economic Affairs, the Adam Smith Institute and the Globalisation Institute.
During term time, we hold a mixture of speaker events and socials. Our guest speakers talk on a wide variety of topics, including current affairs, economics, political philosophy and history.
Speaker events are open to both members and non-members, and we encourage students of all political persuasions to attend and to contribute. The usual format is a brief talk followed by questions and informal discussion. Drinks are often held afterwards in the bar or a nearby pub.
Involvement with the Society can lead to paid internships, and our members regularly take part in summer seminars, both in the UK and abroad.
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Posted by Nick Cowen, Monday 8th February 2010 @ 3:06pm A regular forum organised by the Oxford University Liberal Democrats, Compass Oxford and the Oxford Libertarian Society, with discussion topics of interest to liberals of all kinds. Snacks, drinks and wine provided. This term we will meet every Wednesday from 2nd until 8th week at the Gladstone Room, Oxford Union.
4th week topic:
'The Decline of Voting' - Robin McGhee Posted by Nick Cowen, Friday 29th January 2010 @ 6:34pm A regular forum organised by the Oxford University Liberal Democrats, Compass Oxford and the Oxford Libertarian Society, with discussion topics of interest to liberals of all kinds. Snacks, drinks and wine provided. This term we will meet every Wednesday from 2nd until 8th week at the Gladstone Room, Oxford Union.
5th week topic:
An Introduction to Mutualism - Jock Coats
Mutualism is a left branch of the libertarian family tree that particularly draws on the tradition of the American Individualist Anarchists. As its best known contemporary exponent, Kevin Carson, describes, its philosophy is to "build the structure of the new society within the shell of the old" before we try to break the shell. Jock Coats, an Oxford based Mutualist, looks at some of the possibilities and practicalities of what he prefers to call "viral anarchism". Posted by Nick Cowen, Friday 29th January 2010 @ 5:10pm A regular forum organised by the Oxford University Liberal Democrats, Compass Oxford and the Oxford Libertarian Society, with discussion topics of interest to liberals of all kinds. Snacks provided. This term we will meet every Wednesday from 2nd until 8th week at the Gladstone Room, Oxford Union.
3nd week topic:
Legalising drugs: how far should it go? - Jeremy Cliffe
The controversial sacking of Professor David Nutt, the government's chief drugs adviser, begs the question of where pharmacology ends and politics begins in the debate on the legal status of drugs. This discussion will consider the state of drugs policy in the UK and elsewhere, and ask how far the legalisation of drugs should be extended. Should 'soft' drugs be decriminalised? If so, what about hard drugs? And if such substances are to be permitted, should that be in the name of public health or individual liberty? Posted by James Lawson, Sunday 17th January 2010 @ 2:39pm Jamie Whyte is a former lecturer of Philosophy at Cambridge University and winner of Analysis journal’s prestigious ‘best article by a philosopher under 30’ award. He has written extensively for The Times newspaper and had several books published including ‘Crimes Against Logic’, ‘Bad Thoughts’ and ‘A Load of Blair’. He is famous for dissecting confused logic and public political nonsense.
In this talk, he will discuss whether the financial crisis was the result of too much freedom in banking or too much regulation. Jamie will then scrutinize the new regulatory proposals and examine their likely effects. Posted by James Lawson, Sunday 17th January 2010 @ 11:18am Dear all,
We cordially invite you to our Termly Adam Smith Drinks Reception, to be held on the 15th of February (Monday 5th Week). The pleasure of your esteemed presence is requested to celebrate the great Adam Smith. Cava, cakes and cheese will be provided, free of charge, to complement the rigorous 'political' debate and stimulating conversation.
We look forward to seeing you!
Kindest regards
Who was Adam Smith?
Adam Smith (5 June 1723 – 17 July 1790) studied at Glasgow and at Balliol College (although he believed that at Oxford “the greater part of the public professors have, for these many years, given up altogether even the pretence of teaching.”) He was a pioneer of Political Economy, most famous for his works 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' and his magnum opus 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations'. Smith expounded a free market ideology, advancing the idea that the pursuit of one’s own interests promotes the interests of society as a whole and that markets best allocate resources. As Smith famously put it, “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages.” (to find out more about Adam Smith please visit the Adam Smith Institute website http://www.adamsmith.org/adam-smith/)
We will drink together to commemorate his work.
Hosted by the Adam Smith Institute (http://www.adamsmith.org) in association with the Oxford Libertarian Society and Oxford Conservative Association.
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