Dear All,

Here is a fresh selection of new work from our contributors. It covers politics, culture, history, and economics—along with several thoughtful reviews of books and films.

All articles are published with a creative commons licence. Please feel free to share.

If you wish one of your own articles to be considered for publication, please send to Bryan Mercadente – bryan@libertarian.co.uk

Yours in Liberty,

Sean
Alan Bickley
📜 Starmer and the Rape Gangs: Ears Plugged for Thermidor
Alan Bickley looks at the British state’s refusal to deal with the grooming gangs. He links the silence to wider issues of censorship and state control. He also argues that the left-liberal establishment is less interested in justice than in protecting its own position, but is now endangered by a change of heart within the ruling class.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/15/starmer-and-the-rape-gangs-ears-plugged-for-thermidor/
🗣️ A Dissenting Voice on the Grooming Gangs: Reply to Alan Bickley
Tom Rogers replies to Alan Bickley. He agrees that grooming gangs are a serious problem, but asks for more care in the way we talk about the issue. His article warns against turning outrage into group blame.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/16/a-dissenting-voice-on-the-grooming-gangs-reply-to-alan-bickley/
📉 Censorship’s Quiet Collapse: Why the British Regime May Soon Liberalise
Bickley explains how government censorship may soon begin to fail. He argues that the public mood is changing, and that British rulers are losing their ability to silence debate. Change, he says, may come faster than expected.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/18/censorships-quiet-collapse-why-the-british-regime-may-soon-liberalise/ Neil Lock
📘 Humans versus Politicals: A Summary
This is a summary of the closing parts of Neil Lock’s book Humans versus Politicals. It argues that a new ruling class—hostile to freedom and reason—has taken control. These “politicals” are not interested in helping others, only in power. Lock says they must be opposed for true humans to live freely.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/06/summary-of-humans-versus-politicals-by-neil-lock/ Sebastian Wang
🏺 Understanding Contractual Slavery in the Roman Economy
Many Roman slaves were not forced into slavery. Some chose it, often for money or survival. This article explains the system, how it worked, and how it differs from modern ideas of slavery.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/12/understanding-contractual-slavery-in-the-roman-economy-a-forgotten-institution/
🎼 Mozart’s Finances: Was He Really Poor and Undervalued in Vienna?
Sebastian Wang looks at the life of Mozart. He finds that Mozart earned a good income and was respected in his time. The idea that Mozart was ignored and poor is mostly false.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/13/mozarts-finances-was-he-really-poor-and-undervalued-in-vienna/
🎻 The Economics of Music in 18th-Century Vienna
Why did so many great composers live in Vienna? This article explains how markets, culture, and good institutions made the city a centre for music.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/07/the-economics-of-music-in-18th-century-vienna-genius-and-the-market-for-masterpieces/
🪖 An American War Too Far: Iran and the Dangers of Imperial Overreach
Can the US go to war with Iran? Wang says no. He looks at the costs of war and argues that America is unlikely to win.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/15/an-american-war-too-far-iran-and-the-dangers-of-imperial-overreach/
🔪 The Political Delusions of the British Government: Adolescence as Doctrine
Wang argues that Britain is being run by people who act like teenagers. They follow trends instead of facts, and put feelings ahead of truth. It is dangerous to be ruled by villains. When the villains are also sentimental fantasists, a country is in serious trouble.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/10/the-political-delusions-of-the-british-government-adolescence-as-doctrine/ Bryan Mercadente
🎬 Nosferatu (2024): A Soulless, Sterile Remake of a Masterpiece
Mercadente reviews the 2024 remake of Nosferatu. He says the film has no soul. It copies the old version without understanding what made it work.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/18/nosferatu-2024-a-soulless-sterile-remake-of-a-masterpiece/
🧙‍♀️ The Witch: Part 2 – The Other One
This sequel to The Witch is a mess. Bryan says it has no real story and wastes its characters. He explains why it fails to live up to the first film.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/16/the-witch-part-2-the-other-one-a-sequel-in-search-of-a-plot/
🧠 Trauma is a Thief: A Case Study in Self-Pity
This article looks at modern ideas of trauma. Bryan says that many people now use trauma as an excuse to avoid responsibility. He gives a sharp but fair reply to a growing trend.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/15/trauma-is-a-thief-a-case-study-in-self-pity/
🐛 Phthiriasis: The Lousy Death of Kings and Tyrants
A look at how some kings and tyrants may have died—slowly, and covered in lice. A strange, detailed piece that mixes history, medicine, and humour.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/17/phthiriasis-the-lousy-death-of-kings-and-tyrants/
🏛️ Domitian Reconsidered: A Model Dictator for a Rotten World
Was Domitian all bad? Bryan argues that he was cruel but effective. He asks if strong rule might be better than the mess we have now.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/14/domitian-reconsidered-a-model-dictator-for-a-rotten-world/ Duncan Whitmore
👶 Response to Carson on Child Labour
This article replies to Kevin Carson’s views on child labour. Whitmore says we need to look at facts, not just feelings, and warns against banning work that may help the poor.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/07/response-to-carson-on-child-labour/ David Webb
🩸 Why We Like Dexter
Why do people enjoy stories about killers? David Webb says it is because they show order where real life shows chaos. He uses Dexter to explain.
https://libertarianism.uk/2025/04/17/why-we-like-dexter/

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