Karl Hess: Difference between revisions
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Following the 1964 presidential campaign, Hess' politics became more radical. He joined [[Students for a Democratic Society]], opposed the [[Vietnam War]], and was severely sanctioned by the [[U.S._Internal_Revenue_Service|IRS]] for tax resistance. Hess was a member of the [[United States Libertarian Party|Libertarian Party]] and served as editor of its newsletter from 1986 to 1990. | Following the 1964 presidential campaign, Hess' politics became more radical. He joined [[Students for a Democratic Society]], opposed the [[Vietnam War]], and was severely sanctioned by the [[U.S._Internal_Revenue_Service|IRS]] for tax resistance. Hess was a member of the [[United States Libertarian Party|Libertarian Party]] and served as editor of its newsletter from 1986 to 1990. | ||
Hess wrote an intriguing account of an attempt which he and several friends and colleagues headed up a project to bring self-built and self-managed technology into the direct service of the economic and social life of a poor, largely [[Afro-American]] neighborhood of [[Washington, D.C.]] - [[Adams-Morgan]]. | Hess wrote an intriguing account of an attempt which he and several friends and colleagues headed up, a project to bring self-built and self-managed technology into the direct service of the economic and social life of a poor, largely [[Afro-American]] neighborhood of [[Washington, D.C.]] - [[Adams-Morgan]]. The book is titled ''Community Technology''. While much of the experimentation proved successful in technical terms (apparatus was built, food raised, etc.), the community, continuing on what Hess felt was a path of deterioration, failed to throw itself into efforts to expand and get value out of its application. | ||
Subsequently, Hess moved to rural [[West Virginia]], where he set up a welding shop to support his household. | Subsequently, Hess moved to rural [[West Virginia]], where he set up a welding shop to support his household. | ||
Revision as of 21:29, 9 December 2004
Karl Hess (May 25, 1923-April 22, 1994), called the "most beloved libertarian", was a veteran of World War II, a libertarian thinker, and a planner and applied-technologist.
As a one time speechwriter for Barry Goldwater, Hess's future explorations of ideology and politics drew some public interest. Hess penned the famous line "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." He was also the primary author of the Republican Party's 1960 and 1964 platforms.
Following the 1964 presidential campaign, Hess' politics became more radical. He joined Students for a Democratic Society, opposed the Vietnam War, and was severely sanctioned by the IRS for tax resistance. Hess was a member of the Libertarian Party and served as editor of its newsletter from 1986 to 1990.
Hess wrote an intriguing account of an attempt which he and several friends and colleagues headed up, a project to bring self-built and self-managed technology into the direct service of the economic and social life of a poor, largely Afro-American neighborhood of Washington, D.C. - Adams-Morgan. The book is titled Community Technology. While much of the experimentation proved successful in technical terms (apparatus was built, food raised, etc.), the community, continuing on what Hess felt was a path of deterioration, failed to throw itself into efforts to expand and get value out of its application.
Subsequently, Hess moved to rural West Virginia, where he set up a welding shop to support his household.
Hess ran a symbolic campaign for governor of West Virginia in 1992. When asked by a reporter what his first act would be if elected, he memorably quipped, "I will demand an immediate recount."
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Books
- Dear America
- Community Technology
- Capitalism for Kids, and was the subject of a 26-minute documentary
- Mostly on the Edge: An Autobiography 1999 ISBN 1573926876
- Writers on the Range 1998 ISBN 0870814826
- The Libertarian Forum, 1969-1971/3 Volumes in One by Murray N. Rothbard (Editor), Karl Hess (Editor) ISBN 0405004273
- The End of the Draft: The Feasibility of Freedom 1986 ISBN 0394708709
Films
Karl Hess: Toward Liberty documentary film
The film won two Oscars in 1981, including one for best short documentary.