[tberry]

"Libertarianism holds that the only proper role of violence is to defend person and property against violence, that any use of violence that goes beyond such just defense is itself aggressive, unjust, and criminal. Libertarianism, therefore, is a theory which states that everyone should be free of violent invasion, should he free to do as he sees fit except invade the person or property of another. What a person does with his or her life is vital and important, but is simply irrelevant to libertarianism."

"libertarianism as a political philosophy dealing with the proper role of violence takes the universal ethic that most of us hold toward violence and applies it fearlessly to government. Libertarians make no exceptions to the golden rule and provide no moral loophole, no double standard, for government. That is, libertarians believe that murder is murder and does not become sanctified by reasons of State if committed by the government. We believe that theft is theft and does not become legitimated because organized robbers call their theft "taxation." We believe that enslavement is enslavement even if the institution committing that act calls it "conscription." In short, the key to libertarian theory is that it makes no exceptions in its universal ethic for government. "

I have always thought of myself as a "Paleo-conservative". After reading this article, it appears that all conservatives believing in the principles expressed in the Constitution "could" see themselves as a subset of Libertarianism.

Please comment.

[riley1992]

Very good post. It seems to be much easier for those who have a distaste for libertarianism to use a broad stroke to paint all in one manner as opposed to actually learning that libertarians come in many different stripes, as do conservatives.

[tacticalogic]

You can believe in the concepts and principles of libertarianism without being a Libertarian, just like you can belive in the concepts and principles of democracy without being a Democrat.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Myth #5 Libertarians are utopians who believe that all people are good, and that therefore State control is not necessary. Conservatives tend to add that since human nature is either partially or wholly evil, strong State regulation is therefore necessary for society.

yea, like, all the conservatives I know are such strong proponents of the State. whatever

[steve50]

I think the libertarians are closer to the original meaning of the Constitution and I find myself on their side more times than not.

I'm trying the principles of "Strict Constructionist" myself, haven't had a major conflict with myself yet.

There is no way we could pass the insane legislation we have on the books today if a Constitutional Admendment was required to do so.

[Aquinasfan]

My experience with libertarians confirms most "myths." I went to many Libertarian events in my early 20's.

True "Myth" No. 7 is that 60% of libertarians work in computers.

True corollary to Myth No. 7 is that the other 40% are engineers.

[NoCurrentFreeperByThatName]

Bump for later reading.

[Liberal Classic]

Good post. BUMP and bookmarked.

[AnalogReigns]

This article, first published ... Winter 1980.... "LIBERTARIANISM is the fastest growing political creed in America today."

Hmmmm...published over 21 years ago, and a lot of socialists later--what's happened to that fast growth? (and I say that as (small L) libertarian myself). I think a lot of folks with libertarian ideas have a large gap between their head and their heart! The drug war is a case in point...

[freeeee]

Outstanding article. Thanks for posting.

[Bryce Buchanan]

Good Post - Most of the fallacious charges show up at times on FR.

--------------

Libertarianism rather asserts that everyone should have the right to pursue his own interest as he deems best. What is being asserted is the right to act with one's own person and property...

Far from being immoral, libertarians simply apply a universal human ethic to government in the same way as almost everyone would apply such an ethic to every other person or institution in society. ...

...the institution of the State establishes a socially legitimatized and sanctified channel for bad people to do bad things, to commit regularized theft and to wield dictatorial power.

[Always Right]

There is no necessary connection between being for or against libertarianism and one’s position on religion. It is true that many if not most libertarians at the present time are atheists, but this correlates with the fact that most intellectuals, of most political persuasions, are atheists as well.

I don't buy that at all. Being intellectual does not correlate to being atheist, at least not amoung conservatives. The vast majority of intellectual conservatives are very religious. I would also say in my experience that most Libertarians are hostile towards religous people. Of course they will never admit it and get downright angry when I point it out.

[Outraged]

Libertarianism would work, if you could just have a world without democRATS, who would love to tax drugs and prostitution. Great idea...expand the government, subsidize the industries of prostitution and drug manufacturing and farming, misuse the revenues received from the taxation, create dependency programs and free-drug welfare assistance for the 'needy' addict and their family...and finally have the defense attorney lobby sue because of the fallout from the legalization of these industries.

Libertarianism is sort of like Marxism...Almost looks good on paper...but in practice, a nightmare!!!

[FreeTally]

So...... how long until posters show up and make snide comments without reading this?

[Grut]

What is true or not true about libertarianism is not material since the Libertarian Party is wholly ineffectual. It doesn't matter what you would do when you can do nothing.

[FreeTally]

Libertarianism does not offer a way of life; it offers liberty, so that each person is free to adopt and act upon his own values and moral principles

This is what too many "conservatives" can not get past. They believe the government should enforce a way of life, which actually makes them nowhere close to a "conservative".

What a person does with his or her life is vital and important, but is simply irrelevant to libertarianism.

Same thing here. Both dems and repubs want to rule everyone's life, just in different ways. Neither can get over their childish desire to have people only do what they want them to.

[Aurelius]

BUMP

[Libertarianize the GOP]

Bump List

[Texaggie79]

I agree with most of the theory behind libertarianism. It is just that I disagree with how the LP has defined certain activities. Doing, or selling hard drugs ANYWHERE is a violation of you neighbors rights. Selling your body is a violation of your neighbor's rights. Abortion is a violation of the child's rights. The sale fictitious child porn literature is a violation of your neighbors rights.

I do not hold the position that these things should be outlawed because I want to force people to be moral as most Libertarians falsely accuse us of. It is a protection of citizens rights.

[Moby Grape]

Myth #1. Libertarianism is the fastest growing political creed in America.....1.5% of the national vote is NOT a forward move, but a backward move....Libertaianism is LOSING steam, not gaining. Mtyh #2. Libertarians can win.

[kidd]

Dragging out some of the old stuff, aren't you?

Counter Myth #1: If the libertarianism was the fastest growing political creed, as this article states, then we would expect it's official party, the LP, to have at least 20% of the popular vote by now. In the 22 years since this was written, either the LP would better represent Libertarians, or real Libertarians would have formed their own party. But that hasn't happened.

Counter Myth #2: Libertarianism, as a political philosophy dealing with the proper role of violence, takes the universal ethic that most of us hold toward violence and applies it fearlessly to government: Take a look at the LP web site. Look at its so-called "stand" on abortion. Fearless? Hardly. Top-notch fence walking - absolutely.