David Brin Addresses LP National Convention

Science fiction writer David Brin presented the keynote address at this year’s national convention of the Libertarian Party. Brin’s speech was a greatly expanded version of "Confessions of a Cheerful Libertarian" (Prometheus, Summer 2000).

In addition, Brin distributed a questionnaire exploring the sources of political beliefs.

Speaking on July 5, Brin advocated a pragmatic, incrementation approach to the pursuit of freedoms as a more effective strategy for marketing libertarian ideas. Brin cited Milton Friedman, Friedrich von Hayek, Ludwig von Mises—and Robert Heinlein—as following his favored approach to libertarianism, criticizing the more rationalistic approach of Ayn Rand and Murray Rothbard. His speech called for the questioning of libertarian assumptions, especially the view of American society as devoted to authoritarian conformity; instead, Brin argued, suspicion of authority is a central theme of American culture, which he regarded as closer to libertarian goals than any other culture, past or present.