[JohnGalt]

Libertarianism does not imply 'no government at all'


Leftwing libertariansm, yes. Market Anarchists on the extreme right of rightwing libertarianism believe you are statist.

It is a very rich spectrum with lots to talk about. Sadly, I think Mssr.Paine forgot these conversations only work if we imagine ourselves sitting on bar stools, sipping ales, and smoking tobacco.

[thoughtomator]

Why does accepting that government has a legitimate function make one a 'left-wing' libertarian? I don't understand how simple acknowledgment of the fundamental reasons why government exists in the first place makes one either left- or right-wing. According to this scale, "right-wing libertarianism" would be indistinguishable from anarchism, which isn't libertarian at all, as anarchy gives no respect to liberty.