The Liberty and Property Defence League (LPDL) was a historic organization, founded in 1882 by Lord Elcho, for the support of laissez-faire trade. It served as a lobby group for industrialists and land-owners who were alarmed by trade unionism, socialism, and elements in the Gladstone administration, but attracted also many liberals and philosophical individualists.
The League continued to exist until the 1920s, but its president, Wemyss (Lord Elcho), resigned as president in 1913. This was after the individualism of Spencer declined, which was the main raison d'être of the League. The ideas of the organisation were carried on by the Society of Individualists of Sir Ernest Benn.
A weekly pamphlette put out by the League was called Jus: A Weekly Organ of Individualism, which was edited by individualist anarchist Wordsworth Donisthorpe. Although the LDPL was formed in England, its ideology was shared by Pareto. The first victory of the LDPL was in Italy in 1922 when Mussolini put an end to progressive taxation. In 1922-23,Pareto 'breathed a sigh of relief at the coup d'etat that finally averted threats, if not to liberty, at any event to property" (D. Losurdo 2011: 327)
Famous quotes containing the words liberty, property, defence and/or league:
“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder.”
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 11:21.22.
“Sow seed—but let no tyrant reap;
Find wealth—let no imposter heap;
Weave robes—let not the idle wear;
Forge arms—in your defence to bear.”
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822)
“Stereotypes fall in the face of humanity. You toodle along, thinking that all gay men wear leather after dark and should never, ever be permitted around a Little League field. And then one day your best friend from college, the one your kids adore, comes out to you.”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)