The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie

Eric Brakey: How Libertarians Can Attain Political Power

Jul 10, 2024

Nick Gillespie interviews Eric Brakey, new exec director of The Free State Project, on libertarian movement, concentrating libertarians in NH, achievements in legislative reforms, collaboration with Democrats, and the impact of Young Americans for Liberty

39:28

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Episode guests

John Doe

Eric Brakey

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Quick takeaways

Concentrating libertarians in New Hampshire for political influence and cultural impact.

Expanding libertarian community through grassroots activism and focusing on liberty-minded policies in state legislature.

Deep dives

The Vision of the Free State Project

The Free State Project, a mass migration movement of libertarians, aims to concentrate libertarians in New Hampshire to influence politics and culture. Thousands have already made the move, advocating for limited government and personal freedom.

Intro

2min

Free State Project in New Hampshire

4min

Defend the Guard Legislation and the Free State Project

16min

The Guest's Transition from Acting to Politics in Maine

4min

Accomplishments in State Senate, Gun Rights, and Libertarianism

2min

Exploring the Intersection and Divergence Between Libertarians and Democrats

2min

Legislative Reforms and Libertarian Principles

10min

Today's guest is Eric Brakey, the new executive director of The Free State Project, a nonprofit that has been working since 2001 to get small-government diehards to move to New Hampshire and make the Granite State a stronghold for libertarian ideas. Prior to becoming head of the Free State Project, Brakey was a Republican state senator in Maine, where he authored successful legislation that expanded gun rights, legalized over-the-counter birth control, and enacted Right To Try legislation. Reason's Nick Gillespie talks to Brakey about the state of the libertarian movement, how Ron Paul and Young Americans for Liberty shaped his worldview, and how he hopes to concentrate what he calls "the libertarian diaspora" in New Hampshire.

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