Libertarianism and Conservatism Antithetical?

[Libertas Aut Mortis]

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/rand-pauls-campaign-prove_b_9149724.html

I usually don't frequent the Huff Post, but I believe this article is so outstanding.

Check it out for yourself.

If you like it, here is a link to another one of the authors pieces

http://www.tommullen.net/featured/f...to-life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness/...


I'm curious, what do you think of his argument? I personally think it's pretty solid.

 

[otherone]

I'm curious, what do you think of his argument? I personally think it's pretty solid.

What percent of the voting public could voice any of Rand's stances?

 

[July]

I generally like Tom Mullen, and agree with a lot of what he has to say here... But,

Since the Democratic Party abandoned classical liberalism for progressivism, those classical liberal/libertarian ideas have tenuously resided within the conservative movement, like strangers in a foreign land. It's time libertarians ended their long experiment with converting the Republican Party. America needs a libertarian movement unhampered by the contradictory influences of conservatism.

What is he proposing exactly? Should libertarians focus on third parties? Join the Democratic party? Or should Rand (and other libertarian leaning Republicans) abandon the "constitutional conservative" label? All of these bring with it their own set of problems. Nevertheless, Rand's campaign seems to have brought this debate back to the forefront, which isn't a bad thing.

I personally tend towards the theory that liberal/conservative are not just political ideologies, but also reflect personality dispositions, which are (to a certain extent) fixed and cannot be changed. But that doesn't necessarily mean they are always mutually exclusive or cannot work with one another. I agree with his assesment about why foriegn policy, in particular, is hard. In the struggle between civilization and barbarism, you must be the strongest nation on the block, from a conservative point of view, and dominate rivals.

 

[r3volution 3.0]

What is he proposing exactly? Should libertarians focus on third parties? Join the Democratic party?

Yea, I don't see a good alternative. Until and unless one of the major parties splits, there won't be a viable third party. The Democrat Party is much more hostile to libertarianism than the GOP (the GOP at least pays lip service to free markets and constitution rights, which allows us to make our case without being immediately shouted down).