Mark Skousen's "The Greatest American" offers a compelling biography of Benjamin Franklin, highlighting his multifaceted contributions to American society. The book explores Franklin's remarkable career as a scientist, inventor, diplomat, and statesman, showcasing his intellectual curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit. Skousen delves into Franklin's personal life, acknowledging his contradictions and complexities, while emphasizing his commitment to public service and ethical capitalism. The narrative challenges traditional interpretations of Franklin's legacy, presenting a nuanced portrait of a truly exceptional figure. Ultimately, the book celebrates Franklin's enduring impact on American history and his enduring relevance to contemporary society.
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel. The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity. The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work. A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear. The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind. The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.
FreedomFest, America’s annual celebration of libertarian values, begins tomorrow in Palm Springs. According to FreedomFest’s CEO Valerie Durham, there’s something quintessentially American about her libertarian creed. Attracting speakers as diverse as Cornell West and RFK Jr, Durham argues that the libertarian doctrine articulated at FreedomFest offers America a politics beyond the conventional dogmas of right and left. But is Durham’s vision practical? Can radical libertarian principles like privatizing all roads and eliminating taxation really work in the 21st century?
Five key takeaways
1. Libertarianism as Pure American Philosophy Durham argues that libertarianism represents the most consistent American political ideology, emphasizing individual sovereignty, minimal government, and maximum personal choice as core principles that transcend traditional left-right divisions.
2. Radical Economic Vision She advocates for privatizing virtually everything—roads, parks, utilities—eliminating taxation entirely in favor of direct user fees, arguing this would be more efficient and fair than current government monopolies.
3. Cross-Partisan Dialogue Strategy FreedomFest deliberately brings together diverse speakers from Cornell West to RFK Jr., creating nuanced conversations rather than traditional left-vs-right debates, aiming to find common ground on liberty-focused issues.
4. Skepticism of Both Major Parties Durham views Trump and traditional Republicans as insufficiently libertarian due to military spending and government overreach, while appreciating entrepreneurial figures like Elon Musk who advance innovation through private enterprise.
5. Third Party Necessity She believes America's two-party system is "unsustainable" and argues for breaking up the Republican-Democrat duopoly through viable third-party alternatives that can introduce fresh ideas about governance and individual freedom.
Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
keenon.substack.com/subscribe
Keen On America 
