Liberty and Liberalism is a big book dedicated to the defence of classical liberalism in both politics and economics. It was written at a time when liberalism was under pressure to abandon the philosophy of free market in favour of a much greater role for government in the economy. Bruce Smith wrote this erudite volume because he feared that liberalism was being perverted by the 'new' liberals who believed in expanding state activity. A businessman and politician with practical experience in the industrial sphere, Smith sought to defend individual freedom and the voluntary principle, and to limit the role of the state. In an age when the power of the state still threatens individual initiative, Smith's ideas have relevance for those entire how favour individual liberty as against the growing power of the state.