ex Liberals, Need your help

[filc]

I'm doing a project that will create a guideline lesson plan for converting Liberals to Minarchism. The Project lesson plan will not overtly be given to model liberals but instead used by us folks of freedom as a point of reference to help us make reading recommendations to our friends/family/ect...

Eventually I hope to have a catered educational tree for all political/ideological types. The plan will begin as Low/Medium/high.

Beginning will cover basic topics of freedom including a large portion of philosophy.
Intermediate will incorporate some history and economics.
Advanced section will be more details of everything.

What I want from the ex-liberals is the list of literature, video's, seminars, books, they used which ultimately turned them away from modern liberalism to following Ron Paul. I want the material you read and in the order you read them. OR any other recommendations you can give me. Thanks!

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

I'm doing a project that will create a guideline lesson plan for converting Liberals to Minarchism. The Project lesson plan will not overtly be given to model liberals but instead used by us folks of freedom as a point of reference to help us make reading recommendations to our friends/family/ect...

Eventually I hope to have a catered educational tree for all political/ideological types. The plan will begin as Low/Medium/high.

Beginning will cover basic topics of freedom including a large portion of philosophy.
Intermediate will incorporate some history and economics.
Advanced section will be more details of everything.

What I want from the ex-liberals is the list of literature, video's, seminars, books, they used which ultimately turned them away from modern liberalism to following Ron Paul. I want the material you read and in the order you read them. OR any other recommendations you can give me. Thanks!

Well, prior to becoming an An-Cap I was a Paleo-Con, and I've always thought of myself as a Classical Liberal, though, in my current political state I just take it to the logical conclusion. :p

As for recommendations I wouldn't start off with philosophy. It'll turn them away. Start with economic history, evidence, and historical evidence of liberty and how it relates to personal liberty. Show them the contradictory power they give to the State. On one hand they wish for personal liberties, yet, on the other give the State the power not only to violate economic liberty which is synonymous with personal liberty, but also the power to violate personal liberty. Show them that ultimately that power will eventually be in the hands of someone they oppose; See Bush. Make them question about giving them the power in the first place.

I would start with:

Economics in One Lesson - Henry Hazlitt
Politically Incorrect Guide to American History - Thomas E. Woods
Myth of the Robber Barons - Burton W. Fulsom
How Capitalism Saved America: The Untold History of Our Country, from the Pilgrims to the Present - Thomas DiLorenzo
The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War - Thomas DiLorenzo

Once that is done, have them read the crescendo work of our time.

Man, Economy, State - Murray N. Rothbard.

[emazur]

Mary Ruwart's Healing Our World is supposed to be really good for this, and there's a free ebook of the older edition available on her website:
http://www.ruwart.com/Healing/
Might try searching for videos of Mary Ruwart to see if you find something as well

[Andrew-Austin]

I'm doing a project that will create a guideline lesson plan for converting Liberals to Minarchism. The Project lesson plan will not overtly be given to model liberals but instead used by us folks of freedom as a point of reference to help us make reading recommendations to our friends/family/ect...

Eventually I hope to have a catered educational tree for all political/ideological types. The plan will begin as Low/Medium/high.

Beginning will cover basic topics of freedom including a large portion of philosophy.
Intermediate will incorporate some history and economics.
Advanced section will be more details of everything.

What I want from the ex-liberals is the list of literature, video's, seminars, books, they used which ultimately turned them away from modern liberalism to following Ron Paul. I want the material you read and in the order you read them. OR any other recommendations you can give me. Thanks!

Well I was just a liberal primarily because I was anti-war, and that is one of the main things that struck me about Paul.

I didn't hear about Ron Paul by reading books or literature, more like a combo of emails, Alex Jones, and Youtube.

For A New Liberty really influenced my thinking awhile after I became a minarchist, but really I was just reading a vast amount of articles and materials here and there. Couldn't possibly remember all of it and in what order.

[Working Poor]

When I was young I thought I was a liberal but when I realized liberal meant big government I found that I was mistaken.

[lynnf]

reading had nothing to do with it for me. it was talking to people and being exposed to a different point of view by them that did it.


but, this book looks promising ( I haven't read it)




http://www.timeforanewteaparty.com/images/Cover%202%20rgb.jpg

... a book with non-partisan solutions to take back our country that appeal to all citizens.

http://www.timeforanewteaparty.com/

lynn

[LibertyMage]

I agree that you should start with the practical argument and stick with the practical argument. Philosophical arguments turn people away. People will only study philosophy if they are open-minded and interested.

The largest boundary that one has to cross to convert a socialist to a libertarian/minarchist is the economic boundary. Your goal should be to convince socialists that capitalism really is the best way to serve the greatest good and is the only way to protect civil rights.

Economics in One Lesson is a must. Unfortunately I think most of what would help you is sitting beside me on my "to read" shelf. I have a feeling "The Road to Serfdom" would be a great intermediate level book, but I can't vouch for it as I haven't read it yet.

[lester1/2jr]

honestly, what really changed it for me was reading pat buchanans anti war material. it was when I realized there was a way to be antiwar without being liberal, basically.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

honestly, what really changed it for me was reading pat buchanans anti war material. it was when I realized there was a way to be antiwar without being liberal, basically.

Sadly 99% of our population has never really heard of Howard Buffett or Robert Taft (Pre late 40's Taft).

In a speech prior to the Korean War:

Even if it were desirable, America is not strong enough to police the world by military force. If that attempt is made, the blessings of liberty will be replaced by coercion and tyranny at home. Our ideals cannot be exported to other lands by dollars and guns. - Howard Buffett

[lester1/2jr]

to most americans you are either a liberal and for socialist health care or a republican and for endless wars. those are the two types of people you can be