Posted on 01/11/2002 8:57:38 AM PST by vannrox
(The party & philosophy)
Out of the many political philosophies that exist, one of the most misunderstood is libertarianism. It is frequently labeled part of the “extreme right”, or it is merely associated with drug legalization. Truthfully, there may be several definitions of the term, but in general, libertarianism encompasses all or most of the following: strong support of individual civil liberties, social tolerance, and private property; belief in the positive powers of the free market; and an espousal of constitutionally limited and greatly reduced government. To put it succinctly, the libertarian believes in the freedom of individuals to pursue their lives as they see fit, as long as they cause no harm to others, with minimal governmental interference.
Libertarian thought is rooted historically in the ideas of many of the Enlightenment thinkers, including John Locke, Voltaire, and Adam Smith, as well as many of the founding fathers of America, including Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Paine. Many libertarians prefer to call themselves “classical liberals”. Their philosophy has also been influenced by writer Ayn Rand’s “Objectivism”, and various free-market economists, including Milton Friedman, F.A. Hayek, and Ludwig von Mises.
To more clearly illustrate libertarian thoughts and beliefs, it is helpful to see how these ideas would affect certain issues being debated at this time. Specifically, Freedom of Speech,
(Keep in mind that libertarians, like most people, don’t agree on everything. In fact, their emphasis on individualism gives rise to a great deal of disagreement.)
The international scene (including military defense),
Taxation,
and, of course, Drug Prohibition.
Libertarians are strongly supportive of the civil liberties detailed in the Bill of Rights of our Constitution. They maintain that the Constitution does not grant us these rights, but instead recognizes those rights we naturally possess by virtue of our humanity. Included in these rights is the freedom of speech. Unlike many other supporters of free speech, the libertarian sees it as having a connection with property rights. For example, many would claim that to deny the publication of a certain person’s ideas or works would be censorship. The libertarian would say that you can publish anything you would like on a printing press you personally own, but to force someone else to print it would be coercion.
Another area in which libertarians have a unique philosophy is that concerning international affairs, military defense, and police functions. Many in the libertarian movement believe that the only legitimate functions of government are to provide military protection and law enforcement. They would oppose those “entangling alliances” that Jefferson mentioned which lead to treaties like NATO and organizations like the United Nations. They believe these can lead to unnecessary entanglements with other nations, and may ultimately usurp the sovereignty of the individual.
When it comes to the issue of taxes, it is helpful to reflect on the libertarian’s view of property rights. The libertarian view is generally that an individual should have the right to do with his property what he will, as long as it is not causing harm to someone else. In this case, the property being considered is the money an individual has earned. If the result of your labor is money, then it belongs to you, not the government. If another individual came along and took your money from you without your consent, it would be considered theft by our legal system. The libertarian views it as no less a crime when the government takes your money without your consent via taxation. (In those cases where taxation is “necessary”, libertarians prefer the taxes to be low and only minimally intrusive.)
The aspect most often associated with its philosophy by people only marginally familiar with libertarianism concerns the subject of drug legalization. What should be remembered is that the libertarian advocates personal freedom, which they believe includes the right to make decisions concerning your own body. They would argue that today’s drug prohibition is very similar to the alcohol prohibition of the 1920’s, which helped spawn a great deal of criminal activity, profiteering for criminal gangs, and turned otherwise peaceful, law-abiding citizens into criminals. (Of course, if the use of drugs by an individual causes them to harm another, that person must take responsibility for their actions, and must make restitution or receive appropriate punishment.) They also believe that the “drug war” has largely been a failure in its goals, and has diverted law enforcement away from other, more serious crimes.
Libertarian philosophy can be applied to most any issue being debated in our time. By looking at the four areas of freedom of speech, international affairs, taxation, and drug policy, it is easy to see that libertarian thought at its most basic level agrees with Jefferson’s statement, “That government is best which governs least.”
Written by Deanna Corbeil
That's an exceptionally silly position, given all of us who've told you that we are. It's a major point of contention in the party. Were it not for certain people in the power structure, the party would very likely have a pro-life plank. You should read some of the older platforms. They were much more explicitly pro-abortion.
And in their party's platform(Libertarian) they say that abortion is to divisive an issue to talk about.
Oops I forgot the no force no fraud Libertarian tenant.
I guess the "pro-life" Libertarians abide by the no force no fraud tenant when it comes to "forcing" the issue.
I once took an online poll that asks political questions and depending on your answers, places you on a 2-D diamond shaped matrix. According to my answers, I was a a right-wing Libertarian.
I don't remember where it was online.
Why on earth would you willingly claim for yourself such a strange belief? It makes you look silly.
Libertarianism -- "No one has the right, under any circumstances, to initiate force against another human being, nor to delegate its initiation". (the Non-Aggression Principle)
This is the fundamental ethical principle of libertarianism. It denies you the "right" to initiate force to prevent gambling, or drug use, etc.... Defensive force against an aggressor is permitted (you are reacting, not initiating, against the force which someone else has introduced), but NEVER the initiation of force.
And so (as should be blatantly obvious), IF you believe that the unborn child is human, it disallows the initiation of force against the unborn child, "No one has the right... to initiate force against another human being...". IF a libertarian believes that the unborn child is human, his most fundamental ethical principle requires him to be pro-life. Or didn't you know that?
And you DO believe that the unborn child is a human being, right??
...and yet I say again to all half-dozen people, you can't be Libertarian and Pro-life!
Btw you never answered the question about the Libertarians indifference towards abortion.
Now, believe me that OWK and I disagree on many things. I as a Conservative, he as a Libertarian. Be sure though, not all Libertarians are the same and most can be better allies on more issues than some Republicans. (if that makes sense)
I would much rather have OWK and CubicleGuy in my corner that McCain.
Now of course some Libertarians think all Conservatives are the same.... (I am a member of the Constitution Party, not a Republican).
(Sigh.)
Did the rapist initiate force against my sister? Did my sister ask to be raped?
I think the answer is no.
OK, now, select the correct answer, if you can: the rapist is / is not justified in raping my sister under libertarian philosophy.
Tpaine, are you in a major disagreement with your Libertarian brethren?
Better clarify before somebody gets all upset.
I think the answer to the first question is yes, and the answer to the second question is no.
For all you budding lawyers out there.
I won't if you won't...
Are you ashmaed of this?
Bush Branded a Bully for Funding Ban Over Abortion
especially when they have control of ALL THREE branches of govt
Uh since June, Tommy Daschle(D-SD) has been in control of the Senate.
Oops, I forgot you are pro-marijuana, never mind.
I think you have deluded yourself as to what we really are. Please provide examples for your statement.
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