In Praise of “Inventing Freedom”: Celebrating the Anglosphere’s Legacy of Liberty, By Richard Miller (Londonistan)

Daniel Hannan's Inventing Freedom: How the English-Speaking Peoples Made the Modern World is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the historical roots of the political and economic liberties that define the modern world. Published in 2014, but more relevant than ever, this ambitious work traces the origins of individual rights, private property, the rule of law, and representative government to a distinct tradition born in England and carried forward by the English-speaking peoples, particularly in America and the former British colonies. Hannan's book is not just a historical account but a passionate defence of what he calls "Anglosphere exceptionalism," a legacy that has shaped the modern world and remains vital to its future.

Hannan's central thesis is that the principles we associate with freedom, individual liberty, limited government, and the rule of law, emerged from a unique historical trajectory that began in England as early as the tenth century. By this time, England was already coalescing into a nation-state where common-law rights were taking shape, setting it apart from its contemporaries. Hannan meticulously traces how these ideas evolved through landmark moments: the Magna Carta, which enshrined the principle that no one, not even the king, is above the law; the English Civil War, which asserted parliamentary sovereignty; the Glorious Revolution, which solidified constitutional monarchy; and the U.S. Constitution, which distilled these principles into a framework for a new nation.

What makes Inventing Freedom so engaging is Hannan's ability to weave a narrative that is both scholarly and accessible. He doesn't merely recount events, but connects them to a broader story of how the English-speaking peoples, through trial, error, and triumph, built a system that valued the individual over the state. This system, he argues, is the bedrock of the Anglosphere's success, fostering innovation, prosperity, and stability in ways that other political models could not.

Hannan's book shines in its celebration of the Anglosphere's achievements. He argues convincingly that the institutions and ideas born in England, spread through colonisation, trade, and cultural exchange, gave rise to a global sphere of economic and political liberty. The United States, Canada, Australia, and other former British colonies inherited and adapted these principles, creating societies that have consistently outperformed their rivals in wealth creation, technological advancement, and individual freedom. Hannan points to the common-law tradition, with its emphasis on precedent and individual rights, as a key differentiator from the civil law systems prevalent elsewhere, which often prioritise state authority.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to highlight specific historical moments where the Anglosphere's model proved its resilience. For instance, Hannan's discussion of the American Revolution is not framed as a rejection of British values, but as their logical extension, a demand to uphold the rights of Englishmen against a crown that had strayed from its own principles. This perspective challenges simplistic narratives of rebellion and underscores the continuity of the Anglosphere's commitment to liberty.

Yet Inventing Freedom is not just a celebration; it is also a warning. Hannan writes with urgency about the erosion of these hard-won principles in the very places where they once flourished unchallenged. He points to growing centralisation, bureaucratic overreach, and a waning appreciation for individual liberty, as threats to the Anglosphere's legacy. Under the UK socialist Labour government, this attack upon classical liberal values has accelerated. In an age where global institutions and competing ideologies challenge the sovereignty of nation-states and the primacy of individual rights, Hannan's book serves as a clarion call to defend the ideas that have made the English-speaking world exceptional.

This warning resonates deeply in 2025, as debates over governance, free speech, and economic freedom continue to intensify. Hannan's argument that the Anglosphere's model is not inevitable, that it must be actively preserved, is more relevant than ever. His book encourages readers to reflect on the fragility of liberty and the need to protect the institutions that sustain it, now under threat.

Hannan's work is a refreshing antidote to the cynicism that often pervades discussions of history and politics. Rather than dwelling on the flaws of the English-speaking world, he celebrates its contributions while acknowledging its imperfections. His prose is lively and persuasive, blending historical analysis with a statesman's passion for ideas. The book is not without its critics, some argue it overstates the uniqueness of the Anglosphere or glosses over its historical missteps, but its core argument is hard to dismiss: the principles of individual liberty, private property, and the rule of law have been uniquely successful in creating prosperous and free societies.

For anyone seeking to understand the historical roots of modern democracy or the stakes of preserving freedom in an uncertain world, Inventing Freedom is essential reading. It is a reminder that the liberties we often take for granted were forged through centuries of struggle and must be defended with vigilance. Hannan's book is both a tribute to the Anglosphere's past and a rallying cry for defending its future, more relevant today than ever.