[aynrandfreak]

The Libertarians lost me when they had to debate whether to agree on us going to Afghanistan.

[AZLiberty]

Rand's books -- and discussions with a fellow Caltech grad student named John Dentinger -- transformed me from a leftist Canadian into a libertarian individualist.

Life's experience has made it clear, however, that the individual is not the only entity worthy of recognition. Just as biological life can usefully described at many levels, from quantum mechanics through physics, chemistry, tissues, organs, bodies, populations, ecosystems, and beyond, so can sociological life. Yes, many important things happen at the level of individuals, but many other important things happen at the level of families, organizations (non-profit and for-profit), governments (local, state, national, and supranational), "movements", and so on. As in the physical world, much analytic power comes from dealing with phenomena at the appropriate level -- and it's not just at the level of the individual.

This is where libertarians went off course with the "War on Terror". Wars happen, sometimes they're even necessary, and to win them requires resources and commitment (and hence leadership and followership) at levels well beyond the individual. The War on Terror is not a war of individuals but of civilizations.

[el_texicano]

A note to review this later....looks interesting

[DesScorp]

"...a prevailing view among them is it’s basically a quasi-anarchist, uber-capitalist homily to Ayn Rand."

Couldn't have said it better myself. When your only value is money, you're as bad as the Democrats. They consistently deny any social or moral responsibilities other than freedom to profit. Ever see Star Trek: TNG? Libertarians are the Ferengi of politics.

[Taliesan]

Materialists argue that only atoms exist (or pick your particle, or set of particles). Randians seem to argue that only individuals exist.

Reductionism is a preference, not a conclusion. It has its roots in temperament, not logic.

[Mogollon]

Didn't know there was any wise libertarians.

[Richard Kimball]

Great article. Thanks.

[tpaine]

"--- PI is a purveyor of a ground-breaking libertarianism. It uniquely and passionately supports strong and effective regulation, taxation, and state oversight.
Gone from our writing is the old-fashioned libertarian anti-statism that held that all state intervention is inherently evil. --"

Rational libertarians support the basic principles of the US Constitution as written. -- Nothing in those constitutional principles is "anti-statist", nor do libertarians see them as 'evil'.

The author is making a strange attack on libertarianism, instead of supporting it.