I’ve mentioned fusionism before, but I am fascinated by Matt Welch’s recent Reason article on the subject. Especially this:
…The GOP has been more receptive to libertarian ideas these past couple of years. Yes, it’s still not much, and a lot of it is just the skin-deep opportunism of being in opposition, but I think honesty compels the observation that among the governing classes, if you find an economic libertarian he/she is more likely to be a social con than a RINO (or DINO). The Gary Johnson crossover dream is still just that. Which makes me no more likely to join Team Red, but it does suggest that certain libertarianish traditions within the broader right have staying power, at a time when the libertianish tendencies on the broader left seem to be receiving little or no expression in the governance by Team Blue. That I wished things were different doesn’t change the basic facts.
I have long known that what I want does not change basic facts. It is also quite clear to me that the future of libertarianism is to be found in the Republican Party and not the Democratic Party. Think about it: the Republicans are maybe half libertarian, but Democrats are 100% anti-libertarian. Libertarians believe in freedom, and on the economic side, the GOP is far better than the Dems. On the social side, the Dems only seem to be more on the libertarian side of things. But what many people miss is that with the Democrats, that freedom is conditioned on being a Democrat.
What Republicans share with libertarians is not conditioning freedom on agreeing to some agenda. Freedom either exists or it does not.
For Democrats, freedom is something to be granted and managed.
Which means it is not freedom.
Comments
9 responses to “The future of libertarianism is where?”
There are still the Nat Hentoff and Alan Dershowitz civil libertarians on the left. They may be a dwindling influence in the Democratic establishment, but they are still around.
As to the Republicans becoming more libertarian friendly, maybe. Let’s see who they nominate next year, and how successful they are in marginalizing the Tea Party.
“The future of libertarianism?” I ain’t 100% convinced that it will ever have one. Oh, it’s likely to get a little time on stage between control freak enhanced and/or created disasters. Still it doesn’t seem to take long for another batch of them to start selling insurance against the risks of freedom and opportunity (by trimming them just a bit). Here and there. Oh, and there! Oh.oh. Here too! … ad infinitum.
I have told my friends–for decades now–that the main reason I identify with the Republicans is simply that they scare the hell out of me just slightly less than the Democrats do.
This tends to profoundly befuddle (if not shock) my more “progressive” friends. My staunch Republican friends on the other hand have never once had an issue with my statement, and all have instantly understood what I was saying.
GOP voters are much more libertarian than GOP polls.
It’s kind of depressing.
As long as Republican voters keep voting for the candidates Republicans nominate you’re going to get Right Wing Control Freaks.
I’m betting that Romney will end up the nominee by default. And if that happens there will be despair on the right leading to a third party.
The only possible person to lead such a break will be Palin. Her swan song speech in Iowa was a declaration of war against the political establishment, of both parties. Her silence since then is an even more ominous sign.
Nice insight on each group’s view of freedom.
My comment should read
“… than GOP pols”.
In other words, GOP politicians are not particularly libertarian, they’re just generally a little less statist than their Dem colleagues.
When the Conservatives march out of the GOP and form an actual Conservative Party, the Libertarians will go with them and have real influence.
Until then, we’ll have Romney’s, Frist’s, and Bush’s.