If you go back to Barry Goldwater's platform in 1964, you see a big change from the small government, mind your own business live and let live idea of conservatism to what the policies of the 'conservatives' in power now push. What do you think?
2006-09-07 06:28:11 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Libertarianism combines aspects of both of the polar ends of the political spectrum. They tend to be financially conservative but more liberal socially (indvidual rights).
2006-09-07 06:36:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The libertarian model combines most of the best aspects of both conservatism and liberalism.
From the conservatives, it takes the concepts of small government, personal and corporate accountability, personal responsibility, low taxes, strong defense, no govt handouts, etc.
From the liberals, it takes the concepts of personal freedoms, no government regulation of personal conduct, and broad civil liberties.
In fact, the only people who couldn't support the libertarian platform are those who want the government controlling everyone's lives.
Such as the Democrats and the NeoCons, both of whom want big government and lots of regulations.
Time for a change. Think rationally. Vote libertarian.
2006-09-07 13:33:12 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Libertarianism is meant for a country with already strong ideals and self responsibility. If implemented into a country, such as ours, there would be chaos. America still requires concrete guidelines and watchdogs for everything. Even under the current system where we have a number of freedoms, they are abused and stretched. We need protected from ourselves. True conservatives believe in the ideals and sense of responsibility similar to that of old christian ideals. True Liberals believe that we have great freedoms that we can exercise as long as we do not infringe on somebody elses freedoms. Neither exist today. Cons want everybody to assimilate to standard norm killing individualism. Libs feel that freedoms are boundless and people can infringe and deny others their freedom while they are exercising theirs. When people can take care of themselves without hurting others, maybe we will be ready for Libertarianism.
2006-09-07 14:30:26 · answer #3 · answered by don1joker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, just as the term 'liberal' (or historical/classical liberal) used to mean basically what we now call conservative. As government became the gargantuan monster it is today, the Goldwaterites and Reaganites gradually caved in and are now barely distinguishable from (modern) liberals. The constitution is ignored or only given lip service, and the politicos act as though they have been mandated to spend OUR money as fast and as foolishly as possible! Rome had the same problem, and America will have a similar end.
Proverbs 22: 16 (KJV)
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
2006-09-07 13:33:14 · answer #4 · answered by Randolph 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One crucial reason that "libertarianism" doesn't belong in either the "conservative" or "liberal" mold is because "conservative" people are very interested in: 1) maintaining the status quo, or 2) returning to values that were held dear in the recent past but which seem to have gradually slipt away; while "liberal" people are more interested in "progress" and pursuing "new ideas." A "libertarian" is not interested in either one of those "directions," they don't appear to be any more interested in the past than in the future. They simply want to define "liberty" in their own way, which is a bit distinct from the way that either "conservatives" or "liberals" want to define it.
2006-09-07 13:37:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small-government-low-tax conservatives are much like libertarians. They also have much in common with social liberals, in that they don't believe the government should interfere in areas of personal choice.
There's an interesting FAQ about the U.S. Libertarian Party at http://www.lp.org/article_85.shtml.
2006-09-07 13:37:13 · answer #6 · answered by johntadams3 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about even earlier than that? In the Civil War, the South considered itself democrat and the North, republican. ( I realize I'm painting with a broad brush here, but you get my point I think.)I'd say the definition of both have changed a great deal since the 1860's.... The defintions change with the times. They change right along with the prevailing social climate, and the rise and/or fall in religious/moral mores of a given period of time.
2006-09-07 13:37:02 · answer #7 · answered by ReeRee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Libertarians have a live and let live attitude toward social issues like abortion. Goldwater conservatives don't.
2006-09-07 13:32:23 · answer #8 · answered by Brand X 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Huh, not sure ive ever come so close to agreeing with coragryph...
The original name was liberalism, now known as classical liberalism.. pretty much the polar opposite of that modern liberalism is...
I’m all for the personal freedoms as long at we stick to the personal responsibility part!
2006-09-07 13:37:26 · answer #9 · answered by TLJaguar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When Barry wanted to drop the bomb on Viet Nam, I thought he was nuts. Today, no as much.
2006-09-07 13:34:21 · answer #10 · answered by Spirit Walker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋