What are the main differences between the Republican and Libertarian parties?

Question

Thanks

Answer 1

It depends on which factions in the Republican Party you are discussing. Assuming that you are talking about the Republican Platform and the Libertarian Platform, I would note the following major differences:

1) The Republican Party believes in overseas military operations and maintaining bases abroad. The Libertarian Party believes that we should not maintain bases overseas and should engage in military operations only in response to a direct attack.

2) The Republican Party supports some entitlement programs (e.g Social Security and Medicare) and some federal involvement in education. The Libertarian Party believes that neither are appropriate areas for federal activity.

3) The Republican Party supports restrictions on abortion. The Libertarian Party does not.

4) The Republican Party supports financial assistance to faith-based programs helping solve problems in local communities. The Libertarian Party does not.

There are more examples like the above, but I think the above make the point. Basically, the Republican Party supports a medium sized government with substantial powers. The Libertarian Party wants a tiny government with very limited powers.

Answer 2

The Republican Party used to have a substantial number of people with a libertarian philosophy, but those in the Religious Right have driven that group out.

Libertarians believe essentially in a hands-off philosophy, where the government only performs its essential functions and you live your life pretty much as you see fit with little government involvement. Republicans used to believe this, but they now seem to want to run the social aspects of your life, and, with the advent of the neo-cons, now want to run the economic aspect of it as well.

Answer 3

The Republican party wields substantial political power in the USA.

The Libertarian party, OTOH, stands for the ideals upon which the country was founded.

Answer 4

Libertarians are in favor of freedom and following the Constitution. Republicans are for neither.

Answer 5

The republicans are nationally organized, have a party system set up, and are the only meaningful opposition to liberal democrats. The best the libertarian party can do is be spoilers for the republicans and ensure democrat winners. If you are a libertarian and want to make a difference work for your people within the republican system.

Answer 6

I'll give you the answer in movie form (because you don't want me to write a thesis):

Libertarianism: http://www.isil.org/resources/introduction.swf

Libertarianism = Globalism = Individualism

Republicanism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ9J0qyfZ14

Republicanism = Internationalism = Hegelism

Answer 7

Neocon Republicans: You have two cows. The government takes them and sells you the milk, except you don't know water has been added to it, and some was given to cronies for free.

Real Republicans: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.

Libertarians: You have two cows. You sell one for gold and silver and eventually buy a bull for cheap, using inflation to your advantage.

Democrats: You have two cows. Government taxes force you to sell them in order to support a man in a foreign country who has only one cow which was a gift from your government. They provide you with soy based Silk© because it's greener.

Answer 8

THey do nothing but STEAL votes from the republicans, THey're stupid, THey actually think that they have a chance of being elected and in turn have screwed many DECENT republicans out of a job.

Answer 9

Republicans want to control your life
Liberals want to subsidize your life
Libertarians want you to live your life