John Hospers was Chair of the philosophy department at USC when in 1972 the Libertarian Party chose him to be its first presidential nominee. He has added to his site’s collection of articles a review of The Conscience of a Libertarian, the new book by 2008 LP vice-presidential nominee Wayne Root. Excerpts:

My book, LIBERTARIANISM was first published in 1971. Its subtitle, ‘A Political Philosophy for Tomorrow’ has at long last come true today. I hope it’s not too late.

The pragmatic reality is in Wayne Allyn Root’s brilliant new volume: THE CONSCIENCE OF A LIBERTARIAN – a title I might add, that was obviously carefully considered and borrowed in the “classic liberal” sense –that is, it was returned with dividends of thought and deserved tribute to The Conscience of a Conservative author, politician – Barry Goldwater.

The similarities between Root and Goldwater become increasingly apparent; both strongly believe in individual freedom, both recognize the United States as a republic and firmly support States’ Rights and a federal government with limited powers as unmistakably defined by the United States Constitution; both are conservative, agree an oversize federal government dooms America.

Yet both are centrist libertarians when addressing topics concerning personal choices and social issues such as abortion, gays in the military and the legalization of medical marijuana.

Above all, both Root, the Libertarian Party’s 2008 Vice-Presidential nominee and Senator Barry Goldwater, the 1964 United States Presidential Candidate of the Republican Party – are blunt, outspoken, straight-talking politicians who do not see ‘liberty and justice for all’ being compatible or existing for long with federal government spending-gone-wild – and, like Goldwater, Root is bold, passionate, unafraid to speak clear and often about what he believes. […]

Written in Four Parts, Root’s work is a must-read guaranteed to rivet all who cherish their freedom and seek to protect their lives and loved ones from the dictates of a monstrously oppressive federal government looking to control its citizens from pre-crib to post-crypt, from now and for generations to come. […]

Root has solutions. To me, he’s the only candidate who’s articulate, powerful in presentation, and RIGHT. He presents his views with vigor and clarity on every occasion. He comes across great because he speaks truth from the heart, of America, to America, for America. There’s time: ROOT FOR AMERICA. Bring in 2010 and 2012: THROW OUT THE BUMS, AND CRIMINALS!