In a new essay, libertarian philosopher Matt Zwolinski argues that democracy should be added to the classical liberal list of core commitments, alongside property rights, free markets, and limited government. He contends that democracy's distinctive function is to keep power contestable, allowing leaders to be removed without violence.
Responding in Reason, Ilya Somin agrees with much of that case. He notes overwhelming evidence that democratic countries are freer and more affluent than authoritarian ones, and cites Amartya Sen's finding that famines almost never occur in democracies. Somin also agrees democracy can deter leaders from causing large, obvious disasters.
But Somin parts ways on priority. He argues democracy is not inherently valuable but an institutional tool, like federalism or judicial review, that is useful only when it promotes liberty and happiness. He defends Hayek's hypothetical preference for a liberal dictator over an illiberal democracy, while acknowledging such dictatorships are virtually nonexistent. Somin also prefers the term "libertarian" to "classical liberal" but says nothing of significance hinges on the label.