Episode 42: A Libertarian Walks Into a Bear

Brendan and Andrew interview Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling, author of the popular and widely-acclaimed book, A Libertarian Walks Into a Bear: The Utopian Plot to Liberate an American Town (And Some Bears). It’s the (unfortunately) true story of a small New Hampshire town that was invaded twice, first by libertarians and then by bears. Hongoltz-Hetling explains why the libertarians targeted the town, what they hoped to accomplish, why their free-market utopia didn’t work out well, and why the libertarians continue to resist that conclusion. He and the co-hosts discuss how the libertarian invasion helped lead to the bear invasion, the motives of both libertarians and bears, and their similarities. In the latter part of the interview, they turn to the issue of individual freedom: Does it need to be balanced against the well-being of the community? Does “individual freedom” that restricts the freedom of others truly deserve to be called individual freedom?

 
The episode’s current-events segment, recorded on Apr. 28, focuses on recent Russia-related events–the US government’s belated confirmation that Russian intelligence directly colluded with the Trumpites; and Putin’s backing down from his aggressive actions against Ukraine and against Navalny and Russia’s anti-corruption movement.

 
Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Brendan Cooney and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release new episodes every two weeks. Radio Free Humanity is sponsored by MHI, but the views expressed by the co-hosts and guests of Radio Free Humanity are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of MHI.

We welcome and encourage listeners’ comments, posted on this episode’s page.

Please visit MHI’s online print publication, With Sober Senses, for further news, commentary, and analysis.

Click here for more episodes.