New Threats to Liberty in the 21st Century from Left and Right

6.30pm, Wednesday 20th February 2008

Westminster Arms (upstairs room)
9 Storey’s Gate
London
SW1P 3AT

Admission is free, but a donation at the meeting or later is always
welcome. The meeting is open to members and non-members alike. All
speakers are “contributors to debate”. 

* * *

The Society for Individual Freedom (http://www.individualist.org.uk) is
pleased to announce that its next guest speaker will be Dr Mark
Pennington. 

Historically, conservatives and socialists have shared a suspicion of
free markets and individual liberty. For conservatives, the market
economy represents a threat to established hierarchies and the stability
of tradition and religion, while for socialists market competition has
little to distinguish it from an anarchy where the strong oppress the
weak. Notwithstanding this scepticism concerning markets, conservatives
and socialists have often found themselves on opposing sides of practical
politics. 

Today, however, there are signs of realignment in the political spectrum.
From the rise of environmentalism and anti-globalism to ‘food and health
fascism’ the forces of left and right are uniting in an anti-libertarian
direction. This realignment presents both a threat to individual liberty
and a new opportunity for those who wish to defend it. Mark Pennington
will explore these threats and opportunities and the ways in which
libertarians can makes themselves relevant in 21st century politics. 

Mark Pennington is Senior Lecturer in Political Economy in the Department
of Politics, Queen Mary, University of London.