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Libertarian conservatism

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Libertarian conservatism describes certain political ideologies which combine libertarian economic issues with social conservatism.[1] Its three main branches are Constitutionalism, paleolibertarianism and small government conservatism. They generally differ from paleoconservatives, in that they are in favor of more personal and economic freedom.[2] Agorists such as Samuel Edward Konkin III consider libertarian conservatism a form of right-libertarianism.[3][4]

Notable libertarian conservatives include Barry Goldwater[5] and Ron Paul.[5][6].

History

Libertarian conservatism originated from liberal conservatism, which is an ideology that supports tranditional moral values yet support a laissez-faire economy.[1] Barry Goldwater and Ron Paul were prominent people that spread libertarian conservatism.[7]

Philosophy

In constrast to paleoconservatives, libertarian conservatives support strict laissez-faire policies such as free trade, opposition to the Federal Reserve and opposition to all business regulations.[2] They are vehemently opposed to environmental regulations, corporate welfare, subsidies, and other areas of economic intervention. Many of them have views in accord to Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard.[1]

Libertarian conservatives are more tolerant to social issues such as drug legalization and illegal immigration[8] than paleoconservatives. They see that illegal immigration is caused by the welfare state, that should be first get rid of.[9][10] They more tolerant to gay marriage, although they think that marriage should be deregulated by the state and should be a church function.[11] However, many of them oppose abortion, as they see it as a positive liberty and violates the non-aggression principle because abortion is aggression towards the fetus.[12]

Branches of libertarian conservatism

Constitutionalism

Constitutionalists have strong support for states' rights, gun rights, and civil liberties. They may support intellectual property rights and patents. They think that the function Federal government should be only limited to the Constitution, otherwise it is unconstitutional and should be eliminated.[13]

Paleolibertarianism

Like classical libertarianism, paleolibertarianism embraces smaller or, more characteristically, no government (anarcho-capitalism), fiscal conservatism, states' rights, gun rights, civil liberties and non-interventionism for foreign policy.[1] Many paleolibertarians see "open borders" as tantamount to “forced integration,” with the solution being to privatize all public property.[8] They tend to be pro-life and culturally conservative. They are anti-federalists,[14][2] and in favor of succession of the 50 states.

Small government conservatism

Small government conservatives support concepts such as states' rights, free trade, originalism and sometimes support the expansion of civil liberties. Although small government conservatives support social conservatism, they generally consider enforcement the responsibility of the state governments, not the federal government.[15]

Christian libertarianism

Main article: Christian libertarianism

Christian libertarianism is a term used by people to describe the synthesis of their Christian beliefs with their libertarian political philosophy. It is also a political philosophy in itself that has its roots in libertarianism and it is a political ideology to the extent that Christian libertarians promote their cause to others and join together as a movement. In general, Christian libertarians believe that Christians should not use government as a tool to control others' moral behavior or to initiate the use of force against others. They further believe these principles are supported by Christ's teaching and by the Bible.

According to the Reverend Andrew Sandlin while he was at The Chalcedon Foundation, Christian libertarianism is the view that mature individuals are permitted maximum freedom under God's law.[16]

The glossary at Reformation Online says that Christian libertarianism is the view that supports maximum individual liberty under God's law; that Christ came, among other things, to grant men liberty under God's authority. It refers to John 8:36 in the Bible and says that the authority of all human individuals and institutions is strictly limited to what the Bible authorizes.[17]

US

The Republican Liberty Caucus represents the GOP's libertarian Republican movement.[18] Other libertarian Republican groups include Institute for Policy Innovation,[19] Americans for Limited Government,[19] Americans for Tax Reform,[19] headed by Grover Norquist, and the Club for Growth.[20]

Canada

In Canada, libertarian conservatives have a strong belief in individual rights, low taxation, and oppose government interventions into areas such as the media (Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission) and health care (Canada Health Act).[21]

They differ from social conservatives in that they oppose the prohibition of drugs such as marijuana.[22]

The Fraser Institute, based in Vancouver, British Columbia is a leading think tank for libertarian ideas in Canada.[23]

Politically, libertarian conservatism is most purely espoused by the Libertarian Party of Canada;[24] however, the Conservative Party of Canada has also provided a home for libertarians.[22]

List of libertarian conservatives[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Johnsson, Kenny. "Do You Consider Yourself a Libertarian?". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  2. ^ a b c Rockwell, Llewellyn H. "What I Learned From Paleoism". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  3. ^ "New Libertarian Manifesto" (PDF).
  4. ^ "Interview With Samuel Edward Konkin III".
  5. ^ a b "The Pen is Mightier than the Shock and Awed". NolanChart.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  6. ^ Young, Cathy. "Who's Afraid of Ron Paul?". Reason Magazine. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  7. ^ a b De Coster, Karen. "A Libertarian from the Womb". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  8. ^ a b Pendleton, Arthur (May 14, 2008). "Lew Rockwell And The Strange Death (Or At Least Suspended Animation) Of Paleolibertarianism". VDARE.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  9. ^ Paul, Ron. "Amnesty and the Welfare State". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  10. ^ Paul, Ron. "Immigration and the Welfare State". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  11. ^ Paul, Ron. "The Federal Marriage Amendment Is a Very Bad Idea". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  12. ^ Vance, Laurence (January 29, 2008). "Is Ron Paul Wrong on Abortion?". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  13. ^ DiLorenzo, Thomas. "Constitutional Futility". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  14. ^ Though they refer to the principle as federalism, believing the historical Federalist Party to be misnamed, thinking of them as "Nationalists" or "Centralizers" and the historical Anti-Federalists as being the actual federalists.
  15. ^ Mafaldo, Lucas. "The Conservative Case for Ron Paul". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  16. ^ Andrew Sandlin, The Christian Statesman, "The Christian Libertarian Idea", October 1996
  17. ^ Reformation Online Glossary of Frequently used terms, Reprinted from Chalcedon, July 8, 2007
  18. ^ Rockwell, Llewellyn. "Libertarianism and the Old Right". LewRockwell.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  19. ^ a b c "Libertarian Links". Republican Liberty Caucus. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  20. ^ Sanchez, Julian. "The New Minority Party". Reason Magazine. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  21. ^ "Libertarian FAQ Questions & Answers". Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  22. ^ a b Gobin, Marty. "Running as a Candidate". Libertarian Party of Canada. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  23. ^ Preston, Brain. "Pot Prince's Falling Out with Fraser Institute". The Tyee: A Feisty One Online. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  24. ^ "Libertarian Writings". Libertarian Party of Canada. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
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