Walter Block

These are the party-line libertarian arguments against banning various kinds of "bad" activities; basically arguing that anything which isn't a violation of the non-aggression principle and property rights shouldn't be prohibited by government. The problem is that it doesn't argue that these bad things are "good", only that banning them is "bad", and a lot of people don't accept this argument.

To many people, government banning "bad" things is desirable. To a smaller number of people, it's still ok to ban things which are "bad" when the harms of banning those bad things are less than the harms of those things. Other people think anything which isn't illegal is endorsed or good, and thus the legal system needs to ban a lot of things.

I tend to agree with the AnCap viewpoint of a government protecting only property rights, and then other systems (private law, etc.) protecting other values, allowing people to choose which other restrictions and enforcement mechanisms they want. This book makes a reasonable argument against government regulations, but probably won't be particularly convincing to most people who believe the role of government is to do more than protect property.… (more)

In this unique book, economics professor Walter Block defends people who follow controversial practices. Each chapter is devoted to a different type of person - most of whom the average American would consider the lowest of the low. Pimps, drug pushers, blackmailers, ticket scalpers, dishonest cops, slumlords, litterers, fat capitalist pigs, and child labor employers to name a few of the more than 30 practices discussed in this book.

After reading "Defending", one is not meant to come away with a new found appreciation for sex workers, outlaws or cheats, it is merely a book meant to make you think - and it does just that. It is meant to release you from the bonds of mainstream thinking and get you to open your mind and ask yourself, "why is this practice so bad?" It teaches you to think for yourself and how to stand up and defend your own positions. After reading this book I came away with a great respect for Dr. Block because through his book I had received a great lesson in critical thinking.

If you want to read an entertaining, politically incorrect book that really makes you open your mind, read "Defending the Undefendable" by Walter Block. Regardless of your opinion of the practices discussed within its pages you will find yourself enjoying its contents immensely.… (more)