My friend, Charles Hope, and I have been having a great political discussion about Libertarianism for the past six months. I'm a relative new comer to this political philosophy, and Charles has been good enough to debate with me over emails. Plenty of links and books shared.
This video shows Craig Newmark, the founder of Craig's List, explaining his political stance. He says he's a "Libertarian Moderate", right of center. He admits that he made up this term and is searching for a label that fits his world view. Funny enough, he says that Markos Moulitsas of the ultra liberal Daily Kos calls himself a "Libertarian Democrat".
I tell Charles that many people on the "Left" probably lean more towards Libertarianism. We believe in free speech, separation of church and state, government out of our personal lives, self-responsibility. We start getting skeptical when the Freemarket is touted as a solution to all problems though. Too many rigged games on all sides. But like Craig says, "I just want to give people a break." I doubt he means welfare, but a system where everyone truly has equal access and are kept honest. I think Craig's List is a great example of a fair system: everyone has equal access to information, basic rules apply to everyone that help avoid/punish fraud, moderators track any problems and keep rules enforced, and all members of the community can help flag/police negative players. If I act fairly, I should be treated fairly.
(Today is also Day 1 of Videoblogging Month 2008 VloMo08)
Update: There is a a great podcast with Naomi Klein Naomi Wolf on the LewRockwell Show here. She is considered a liberal, but admits she's leaning more and more towards Libertarianism, especially on human rights. Lew and Naomi have a great conversation where they share how they got to this way of thinking. The economic worldview is the real key. What does a "Free Market" mean, and how would it really work in reality?
The only thing I can quantify with a “Free Market” is that there is little or no governmental intervention in markets. Little to no regulations and private entities can do as they place. It could mean there is little barrier to entry for anyone wishing to be a producer in a given market. If you ask an economist or anyone else who has an libertarian viewpoint on the economy they might be better able to break it down for you.
“I tell Charles that many people on the “Left” probably lean more towards Libertarianism.”
You speak for the “Left” do you? Good luck with that. And libertarianism? It’s another flavor of populism to cover hands off banks and finance until they need a bailout. Promise unfettered American dream to the little folks while packaging and gambling on their debt. No taxes for the greater good, schools, infrastructure, health. Right. Stick with video.
Hmmm…my friend Charles Hope and I also talk a lot about how the very word, Libertarianism, isnt realy understood anymore. Republicans have certainly perverted the language.
Check out these interviews:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/podcast/?p=episode&name=2008-10-30_058_americas_slow_motion_fascist_coup.mp3
http://www.lewrockwell.com/podcast/?p=episode&name=2008-10-29_057_ex_civil_liberties.mp3
“True Libertarians” believe in true liberty.
No empire building.
As far as economic issues, I agree that Libertarians need to work on specific plans if they are to be trusted. But watch the Craig Newmark video above. He’s doing quite a bit of work on the Left based on his Libertarian principles.
Dave, you may want to read this eassy:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/gregory/gregory175.html
I believe this is such a critical topic in our lives today. We need to re-define our principals in practice, not only in debate.
We should present examples like this and other aspects of this notion to those that really want to make change happen.
We can do this through the opportunity we have on this day to reconnect the dots in new and mutually beneficial ways.