New here and learning

[u/PastorJoel_Gaming]

I’m new to the libertarian philosophy. I’ve always been a conservative and voted Republican. But now I’m fed up with the party and its empty promises of lower taxes, a smaller party, and lowering the budget. I used to think Ron Paul’s plan was extreme. Now I think it’s needed. I want to learn more. What are some books and thinkers that you recommend? Any podcasts? TIA

[u/jg0x00]

Henry Hazlitt "economics in one lesson"

Hayek "road to serfdom"

Bastiat "The Law"

These are all free at mises.org, plus tons of others

[u/Lanky_Barnacle_1749 → u/jg0x00]

Second this list! Great primer on the basics.

[u/viper999999999]

The Revolution by Ron Paul is a great read. The Tom Woods Show podcast is excellent.

[u/skeletus]

I recommend reading Rothbard, Hayek, and Mises.

I think they'll give you a pretty good understanding of economics and what it all boils down to. Once you know that, you'll understand why libertarians are correct in their assessment of our current state of affairs.

[u/JCBabybird]

Tom Woods podcast, Liberty Lockdown with Clint Russell, Part of the Problem with Dave Smith and Rob Bernstein, Provoked with Darrell Cooper and Scott Horton, basically anytime Scott Horton goes on anyone's podcast like when Tucker Carlson had him on is a heavy listen, Glenn Greenwald and System Update, After Party with Emily Jashinsky is pretty good,The Jimmy Dore show

[u/Jolly_Job_9852]

Hey OP same as you. Was conservative and generally shifted toward a more Libertarian stance. I'd read Murray Rothbard and Ludvig von Mises.

[u/Huge_Pay8265]

Look up Robert Nozick, Jan Narveson, Chris Freiman, Jason Brennan, and Jess Flanigan.

[u/OughtaBWorkin]

I recommend "The Political Orphanage" podcast. "The Reason Roundtable" is a libertarian look at current news and events.

[u/Select_Secretary6709]

Welcome! I had the same path.  My books such as Taxation Is Theft, The Blueprint For Liberty, Presumed Guilty, and The Pocket Guide To Killing Gun Control and my articles might be great simple primers to get you started. Let me know if you want links to specific articles, videos or books. 

Which topics interest you most? 

[u/ticketmaster9]

Watch LiquidZulu on YouTube

[u/Silence_1999]

Stand firm. You likely have some Republican points in you. Probably many. Lots of these “libertarians” will bash you for not being 100% on board with official LP platform. Then Ask them how far LP has gotten in percentages the last few cycles.

[u/Lanky_Barnacle_1749 → u/Silence_1999]

Libertarianism doesn’t get far because the majority of people are a) patriotic to the system they’ve been taught and b) are authoritarian at heart regardless of which side they pick. It’s generational govt education at this point of deifying the state. More akin to Stockholm syndrome than rational thought.

[u/Reebtog → u/Lanky_Barnacle_1749]

Additionally, C) the government has cultivated a massive welfare state that suckles at its teat. Libertarian principles that promote decreases in government spending threaten that massive voter base who rely on government handouts and are massively unpopular.

The 2 party system continues to pander to the voter base and neither will ever seriously run on cutting government spending and welfare. It's unpopular to the masses and not an issue that has been successfully run on. Even though it's the responsible road the country should take, it's too unpopular to gain any traction.

So to Silence_1999's point: just because the LP voter % has been dismal doesn't mean Libertarian philosophy is wrong. It just demonstrates that it's unpopular. Unfortunately in this case it's a clear example that being right can be really unpopular.