This is the second post in a series of summer reading recommendations from some of SFL’s favorite pro-liberty advocates. You can find the first post here. You can support SFL by purchasing any of the following books on Amazon by clicking here before shopping.

Dr. Matt Zwolinski is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of San Diego. 

1. The Problem of Political Authority (2012) by Michael Huemer

“It is, quite simply, the best book of libertarian philosophy that’s been written in at least the last decade. In it, Huemer makes the case for libertarian anarchism on the basis of commonsense intuitions about morality. It’s a sophisticated philosophical work that can stand up to close academic scrutiny. But it’s also a surprisingly engaging read, filled with colorful examples and written in plain, accessible language.

For a bonus assignment, read Huemer’s book alongside Lysander Spooner’s classic anarchist work, ‘A Letter to Grover Cleveland.’ It’s long, but it’s probably Spooner’s best work, and Spooner was the most important 19th century libertarian in America. Read at least the first 8 sections – and you’ll be hooked!”

Dr. Nigel Ashford is senior program officer at the Institute for Humane Studies. You can see Dr. Ashford’s full summer reading list here.

2. Free Market Fairness (2012) by John Tomasi

“Many accept markets as the most effective system for the efficient production of economic wealth, but reject them because they fail to achieve their standard of social justice. Tomasi challenges both Rawlsian social democrats by arguing that the goals they embrace would best be achieved through support for free markets, and Hayekian liberals to embrace the concept of social justice. He presents free market fairness as committed to both economic liberty and a fair distribution of goods and opportunities. For Tomasi, free market fairness is social justice.”

3. The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence has Declined (2012) by Steven Pinker

“Contrary to widely held perceptions, we are in the most peaceful era in human history. Evolutionary psychologist Steven Pinker explains this by exploring five forces: the creation of government, commerce, feminization, cosmopolitanism, and the escalator of reason. Anarchists will be unhappy with his argument on the first force, but those interested in the commercial peace thesis will enjoy his discussion of the second. As Pinker notes, understanding the limits of man (as discussed in his book The Blank Slate) is not a claim that nothing can be done to improve the world.”

4. The Cult of the Presidency: America’s Dangerous Devotion to Executive Power (2008) by Gene Healy

“This book demonstrates how the Founders’ vision of the presidency as constitutionally constrained with the execution of the law has been replaced with a vision when the President is the great problem solver. After discussing the framers, and the revisionism of the Progressives, the book focuses on the heroic presidency, especially since 9/11. It concludes with suggestions for reform while noting that the most important thing is for voters to demand and expect less from the presidency.”

Other recommendations: Why Nations Fail (Acemoglu Robinson), The System of Liberty (George H. Smith), Doing Bad by Doing Good (Christopher Coyne), Libertarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know (Jason Brennan), Mismatch (Sander Taylor)

Dr. Peter Boettke is a University Professor of Economics and Philosophy at George Mason University.

5. Anarchy Unbound: Why Self-Governance Works Better Than You Think (2014) by Peter T. Leeson

6. Out of Poverty: Sweatshops in the Global Economy (2014) by Benjamin Powell

7. Doing Bad by Doing Good: Why Humanitarian Action Fails (2013) by Christopher Coyne

8. The Social Order of the Underworld: How Prison Gangs Govern the American Penal System (2014) by David Skarbek

Other recommendations: “If you want more intellectual perspective on the major economic policy debates, I recommend Lawrence White’s The Clash of Economic Ideas. And while I am at it, they might find my Living Economics worth reading. Enjoy the summer and never stop being thirsty for knowledge.”

Dr. Phil Magness is a policy historian and Academic Program Director at IHS. You can find his list of recommended history readings here.