Individual Liberty

Selections from the Writings of Benjamin R. Tucker

By: Benjamin R. Tucker

Narrated by: Aryell Grist

Benjamin Ricketson Tucker was a proponent of American individualist anarchism in the 19th century, which he called "unterrified Jeffersonianism," and editor and publisher of the individualist anarchist periodical Liberty.

This essay, which is the clearest statement on the subject that had then ever been produced, was written by Mr. Tucker in 1886, in response to an invitation from the editor of the North American Review to furnish him a paper on anarchism.

©1926 Vanguard Press (P)2023 Listen and Think Audio

Organic American individualist anarchism

Although Tucker identified as a socialist, he was strident in his views against the state. He was surely influenced by his friend and fellow anarchist, Lysander Spooner, as well as Josiah Warren, who might be the first American anarchist.

Tucker also subscribed to the labor theory of value. It's a pity that he did not have the chance to be exposed to the Austrian School of Economics. I can only imagine how his views might have changed on any number of issues, if he had been.

Anyway, this book is well worth reading or listening to, as Tucker presents a solid anti-state, pro-liberty view of human civilization and society in general. It is indispensable for anyone who wants to understand early American anarchism.