Why U.S. Retrenchment Fuels Economic Instability and Amplifies Authoritarianism

The Daily Bell ^ | July 21, 2025 | Benjamin J Dichter

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Government has three primary functions. It should provide for military defense of the nation. It should enforce contracts between individuals. It should protect citizens from crimes against themselves or their property. – Milton Friedman

I begin this article with a quote from Milton Friedman as a reminder of the most basic philosophical principles of small-government libertarian principles too many have forgotten. As the libertarian movement faces increasing attack vectors from collectivist cultures employing political entryism, it is more important than ever to reassert what libertarianism truly stands for: freedom, free markets, and the defence of individual and property rights.

Currently in Iraq, Shia militias are stealing the homes and personal property of Assyrians, Chaldeans, and other Christian sects. These communities remain trapped in Iraq, unable to leave under threat of civil forfeiture. If and when they are able to travel outside their cities, the government fabricates fraudulent documents to quickly transfer property ownership to a Shia or Sunni Muslim. Welcome to the Middle East in 2025. As bad as it was in the past, this year has seen catastrophic changes, especially as the Trump administration, along with other international leaders, legitimised an Al Qaeda extremist and ape in a suit as the official leader of Syria.

Many in Eastern societies, still emotionally scarred by Vietnam and Iraq, have drifted into a reflexive and absolute anti-war posture. However, as I argued in my earlier piece, America Alone Is Not America First, excessive isolationism leads to chaos for everyone, including America.

America Alone is Not America First

As a more libertarian-minded individual and spokesperson for the Canadian trucker protest against authortarianism, I’ve personally felt the crushing weight of state overreach. The Canadian government’s illegal seizure of our bank accounts was never punished, despite Justice Mosley’s ruling that the seizure was unconstitutional. There has been zero acknowledgement...

[motor_racer]

From the “If Trump Did It, It Will Destroy Us All” file.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I just read the excerpt. Does the author EVER get around to something useful in the full article?

[Old West Conservative]

From way down in the article is all you need to know: Orange Man America 1st Bad

“Economic Fallout of U.S. Non-Intervention in Global Terrorism”

“When the United States retreats from its role as global security guarantor, the economic consequences are severe”

[hinckley buzzard]

Yes, but not sure what that has to do with libertarianism.