Janet Bufton (@Janet) - Original Work

@Janet · 2h ago

Today at Liberalism.org, I propose a model of thinking about our politics in terms of clear principles that can act as coordination points for people with many different motivations, beliefs, resources, and plans of their own. My hope is that it helps liberals better navigate the political world we're in today and shows them that today's politics are politics that principled liberals can and should join.

A Liberalism of Principle, Not Program

Slavery’s opponents knew how to keep things simple. Today’s liberals should do likewise.

liberalism.org

Janet Bufton

@Janet · May 23

My piece this week at Liberal Currents: on the long push (including in this piece) to convince classical liberals they can rejoin the left to work against authoritarianism and why it's taking so long. It is based on having worked through what happened politically around me as the postliberal moment emerged from the apparently libertarian one. It holds out a hand to those still where I was and tries to show a way forward.

Liberalism Reunited

Classical liberals must rejoin left liberals in fighting for emancipatory politics and against the illiberal right.

liberalcurrents.com

Janet Bufton

@Janet · May 1

I make my debut at Liberalism.org, arguing that liberal principles don't to have to be separated from politics for liberalism to defend itself and thrive. In fact, they shouldn't be. Principled liberal commitments have to be paired with commitment to liberal—persuasive, democratic—politics.

The Liberal Spirit of System

The “man of system” is a famous figure in the work of Adam Smith, and not in a good way. And yet we all think in systems. They can be both beautiful and helpful. What gives?

liberalism.org

Janet Bufton

@Janet · Jul 15, 2025

Apparently I did not share my condemnation of libertarian utopianism in practice. At The Reading Room, I use Isabel Paterson to show why failing to update abstract libertarian arguments for reality, or even failure to just apply libertarian standards to libertarian arguments, can lead libertarians to exactly the spot Paterson sees her opponents heading.

The Libertarian With the Guillotine | Online Library of Liberty

Isabel Paterson's argument against government charity hasn't held up, but it still offers important lessons about liberal, and libertarian, politics.

oll.libertyfund.org

Janet Bufton

@Janet · Jul 9, 2025

At liberal currents, I reject the idea that the government can be in charge of creating a certain sort of people. That means that liberals have to take charge of being, and teaching and persuading into existence, the *liberal* values, morality, and ideas that can support liberalism. And fusionism is a trap: liberals are not simply living or defending conservative, socialist, or any other values and virtues under a liberal institutions.

Liberalism Needs Liberals

It is precisely because liberalism cannot take sides that liberals must.

liberalcurrents.com

Janet Bufton

@Janet · May 23, 2025

And here's me! Just a short piece, but on something that keeps eating at me. Free trade has new friends. It can feel like prices have none left. (Exception: Congestion pricing. I should write that up.)

More Fronts in the War on Prices - Econlib

When we talk about opposition to prices, we’re usually talking about price controls. This isn’t unreasonable. There are still calls for them in response to short-term higher prices after a disaster, or longer-term cost-of-living increases, as for rent or food. It’s important to explain the negative unintended consequences of such interventions. But sometimes, people who […]

econlib.org

Janet Bufton

@Janet · May 2, 2025

My read on the results of this week's election in Canada. Liberals are celebrating, and fair enough. But the main thing I think we bought is time to start getting results. Poilievre's Conservatives showed that a populist right that mostly drops its free market and liberal commitments has the potential to win big. Liberals of all party stripes should notice that and respond.

A Liberal Victory Does Not Mean Populist Furies Are Dead in Canada

For that, the party will have to correct its abysmal governing failure and deliver economic results

theunpopulist.net

Janet Bufton

@Janet · Jan 23, 2025

I explore Eric Hoffer's mistaken conception of liberalism in his short, influential book, The True Believer.

Liberalism in The True Believer | Online Library of Liberty

In November, Liberty Fund hosted a virtual reading group on Eric Hoffer's short book, The True Believer. One topic of discussion was Hoffer's conservatism, which is implicit to his theories of mass movements. One place it’s implied is in his mistreatment of liberalism. In section 52, under “Deprecation of the Present”, Hoffer sums up his views of conservatives, skeptics, liberals, radicals, and reactionaries.

oll.libertyfund.org

Janet Bufton

@Janet · Jan 23, 2025

Belatedly sharing my suggested mindset for liberals today.

The Plucky Remnant

A new home and a new mindset

janetbufton.ca

Janet Bufton

@Janet · Jan 23, 2025

I have done my best at the beginnings of an argument for a market liberal case for liberal democratic politics and government over the course of four essays, collected and summarized here.

Democracy for liberal people

Market liberals need liberal democracy

janetbufton.ca

Janet Bufton

Janet Bufton

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