Tag Archives: libertarianism

Former Chief Justice Jonathan Sumption on the UK’S Corona Lockdown

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Earlier this evening, I listened to a fascinating interview with the former Chief Justice Jonathan Sumption.

Much of Sumption’s interview is taken up with an exposition of his view that the UK’s Corona virus lockdown is “despotic”. Whether one agrees with his analysis or not, Sumption’s interview is well worth listening to for anyone concerned with civil liberties.

Many libertarians have (albeit reluctantly) accepted the lockdown, but Sumption remains of the view that it should be of a voluntary nature. Whether one accepts Sumption’s perspective or one rejects it, he raises profound questions about the liberty of the individual and the proper limits of state power.

For the interview please visit, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08fjy9j.

(Note: in contrast to Jonathan Sumption, the UK Libertarian Party has expressed qualified support for the UK’s lockdown. See, for example this link, https://libertarianparty.co.uk/2020/03/23/statement-on-coronavirus-lockdown/. Sumption is not, to the best of my knowledge a member of any political party, and he mentions during the interview that he has voted for different parties at election time).

Rise Of The New Libertarians

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At university I read history and politics. Then, being a glutton for punishment I went on to do an MA in political theory, hence my interest on coming across this article concerning the rise of libertarianism among young people, (http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rise-new-libertarians-meet-britains-next-political-generation-1469233). According to the piece, young people are turning away from support for the welfare state and embracing classical liberal economics combined with social libertarianism. What is being described in the article is not Conservatism for Conservatives do, on the whole support laws against drugs, prostitution etc. In contrast the libertarianism being described here is opposed to what it perceives as unwarranted restrictions on personal liberty of which (they believe) measures against drugs, prostitution etc are a part. Again, within British Conservatism there exists a school of paternalist or one nation Tories who have accepted or, on occasions promoted social reforms (Benjamin Disraeli for example). This strand of paternalism is foreign to libertarianism of the kind being described here.

Worth a read.

 

Kevin

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