Could it be because my beliefs on social liberalism are much more stronger than my beliefs on fiscal conservatism?
2007-09-22 00:18:24 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
No. Libertarianism" as it is currently promoted in the Amrican political arena is little more than the right-wing extremism of the neoconservatives, except with the religous ideology left out. One's as bad as the other.
Libertarianism as a political philosophy is entirely different. BOTH fiscal/economic freedom and individual liberty are equally stressed--it is similar to classic liberalism. Like any philosophy, however, it has its limits. The thinkers (Will Durant, Ayn Rand, etc.)who developed libertarian ideas were doing so in the context of a different economic model--the "propriatary capitalism" of te 1800s. That was a period dominated by small, community based, owner-managed firms and highly skilled artisans. Today we have an economy best described as "managerial capitalism" where most people work--MUST work--for others--and usually for large and powerful organizations. The basic principles of classical liberalism/libertarianism can still be applied--but HOW that can be done has yet to be thought out. Instead all we've seen is attempts to apply what amounts to 19th century economic and political methods to post-industrial economies without taking into account the fundamental changes that have occured. And the result has been teh travesty of so-called "libertarianism" you see promoted today.
2007-09-22 00:37:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Not to me. I'm a libertarian that generally votes for republicans. I guess I'm more concerned about economic issues than social ones. As far as that goes the democrats are way off base with the direction I want to go. Socialized medicine and expanding government entitlement programs is not a libertarian ideal.
Government policies for and against certain social issues come and go, and change with the tides, but once a new government program is created, or a new tax is levied, those are pretty much here forever.
2007-09-22 07:26:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its probably because the republicans have forsaken fiscal conservatism and turned their back on the constitution in the last several years. They must be getting terribly bad if Libertarians are starting to back Democrats.
2007-09-22 07:25:53 · answer #3 · answered by austin j 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'd be a bit concerned if you considered yourself to be pure anything. I do think your idea that you are more inclined to social liberalism has something to do with you considering yourself a libertarian.
I think you should take this test and see where you come out at:
http://www.politicalcompass.org/test
or this one:
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html
2007-09-22 07:33:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your beliefs are truly libertarian, you should find them both equally repugnant. The Democrats don't support civil liberties anymore than the Republicans. Look at their voting records, they just spout rhetoric.
2007-09-22 07:24:45 · answer #5 · answered by mick t 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Republicans have strayed VERY far from the foundation of thier party. So have Democrats. It's sad that we don't have a REAL third (or fourth or fifth) party in this country. This was NOT the system our forefathers envisioned.
2007-09-22 07:24:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
to be a good person you have to agree more like a democrat
2007-09-22 07:20:50 · answer #7 · answered by paulcondo 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
'Libertarians' are just Conservatives who are too ashamed to say they are.
2007-09-22 09:32:29 · answer #8 · answered by Tokoloshimani 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋