Is the phrase "Conservative Libertarian" an oxymoron?

Question

What distinguishes oxymora from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally, for rhetorical effect, and the contradiction is only apparent as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept. Or maybe not.

I should mention that I actually like Conservative Libertarians.

Answer 1

Nope, it's not!

I'm very conservative in a lot of areas - mainly a strong military and small government. Oh, and PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY - not *my* problem if you can't figure out how to make your way in life - we *do* have free education in this country - no excuse to be ignorant.

But I also don't believe you can legislate morality - I think we should legalize drugs - regulate them and tax the hell out of them. I think we should legalize prostitution, too - outlawing hasn't stopped it, and I really believe those women deserve protection.

Does this help?

Thanks for adding that last bit - I was kinda feeling abused. ;o)

Answer 2

Yes. Conservatives by definition want to maintain the status quo and maintain tradition for its own sake. They believe that things have worked best as they were previously, or as they are in the present. Libertarians do not care whether it is tradition or the current state of affairs that honors freedom and individual sovereignty. They want a laissez faire government. The terms conservative and libertarian determine the primary values, not the ends. When debating against those who want to change the status quo towards a larger government they may be strange bedfellows, but their respective motivations are completely different. As such, they are mutually exclusive political goals and agendas, a contradiction when applying both terms to one person or group.

Answer 3

No. yet once you're thinking that George H.W. Bush, or his son, are conservatives, you're incorrect. they are NEO-conservatives, that's the main unconservative political theory in the international in a lot a similar way that Obama isn't a liberal yet a NEO- liberal, which isn't liberalism in any respect the two. actual conservatives are very compassionate through fact we've faith in freedom, liberty, sovereignty, and the fear-unfastened rights of all and sundry to stay non violent, unfastened, and self reliant lives. Liberals desire to tax me and take my property to maximum suitable some perceived incorrect that had no longer something to do with me in the 1st place. Liberals desire to apply government as a confiscatory power to redistribute wealth, which isn't something extra beneficial than criminal extortion. remember, very nearly each conflict united statesa. has gotten in through fact the Civil conflict has been prosecuted by potential of a Democratic president. WWI -Woodrow Wilson, Dem., WWII - Roosevelt, Dem., Korean conflict, Truman, Dem., Viet Nam, Kennedy/ Johnson, Dems. Who ended Vietnam? Nixon, Repub. Bush started our cutting-edge wars yet Obama, who ran on an anti-conflict marketing campaign, is escalating those conflicts and perilous Iran. So, you tell me, who looks extra compassionate?

Answer 4

In the classic definition of the terms, yes.
But, there seems to be a number of self proclaimed libertarians here who also claim to be conservative. They cite fiscal conservatism, lower taxes and smaller government, as Libertarian views.

Answer 5

A republicans right to choose to abortion. An idividual to choose our nation should be protected from illegal immagrants and terrorist. Clinto sure did nothing for border patrol.

Answer 6

By the very nature of Conservatism, it denies liberty. So I have to agree with you. It is an oxymoron.

Answer 7

No. It now describes someone who is fiscally conservative yet socially liberal.

Answer 8

no, it is redundant

EDIT: we like you too ;)