The Science of Liberty: Democracy, Reason, and the Laws of Nature

Should be a required textbook in Texas and everywhere.

NOTE and EDIT: My initial review focused on how this book might be used to educate and enlighten the American populace and help head-off a number of troubling developments in politics, education and religion. But the author takes a much larger view than that, helping me understand for the first time ever the differences and relationships between Liberalism, Conservatism and Progressivism in American politics first and then expanding the view to encompass the entire history of worldwide political systems, to include Communism, Fascism, and modern-day Islamism, all of which are anti-liberal, anti-scientific and anti-democratic Totalitarian systems. Both conservatism and progressivism are equidistant from Liberalism and Totalitarianism and so can be pulled either way; unfortunately, world history records that several anti-Enlightenment philosophies have successfully produced strong drives toward Totalitarianism rather than Liberalism, actual events that have had dire consequences for the world. Islamism is nothing if not Totalitarian, and currently takes on much of the worst of Marxist and Fascist ideology. And although Mr. Ferris didn't mention it, the same trends can be observed in today's growing Christian Dominionist movements in both the American public and the military, as it sucks in large numbers of conservatives. The good news is that liberal democracy has weathered every storm; the bad news is that forces of intolerance, authoritarian bigotry and enforced ignorance are on the march in America and I fear our foundations of liberty are in store for yet another costly test. Perhaps there is still time for an enlightened citizenry to stand up and say, "No!" This book should become the most widely-read book of the century, both here in America and abroad. This is a Pulitzer-level work, written in a very understandable style that should be accessible to just about everyone. ***** Original review follows... The most insidious things happening in American politics...