Interesting article. Part of of my summer reading has been Rasselas by Samuel Johnson and it seems to me that he debunks all such theories as suggested in the book reviewed. In the late eighteenth century!
Peter Sellick

Yes, interesting indeed, though I share the author's concerns about the inherent contradictions in libertarian “orthodoxy”. This book looks a bit like the political equivalent of systematic theology - it may be no coincidence that the author has written previously on religious topics, and the first comment was from Peter.

Speaking of which - Peter, it's been months since you contributed an article here, are you retired from OLO? I enjoyed your articles, including the ones I disagreed with! It would be nice to have you back as a regular author.