Category Archives: Libertarian

The first act of the French presidential race has come to a close, and the results are seismic. Center-left candidate Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen will advance to a runoff election, leaving in the dust the candidates of the two traditional parties of right and left that had governed France since the return of democracy after the Second World War. Whoever ultimately wins the presidency, the old guard of French politics has lost.

Widespread disaffection with the center-right Republican-Gaullist and the Socialist wings of French politics has finally caused a crack-up of the political landscape. Now French voters face a very real choice. They can either choose the liberally-minded, pro-trade, pro-Europe Macron, or they can choose the arch-conservative, protectionist, Eurosceptic Le Pen. Few elections in any country in recent memory have presented so stark a choice. The vote will be a turning point for France, for Europe, and for the world.

If Macron wins, we should expect a movement toward greater liberalization of the labor market, pushes to reduce trade barriers, and a more energetic France in the councils of Europe and global affairs. With Le Pen we can expect increases in economically devastating protectionism, a rollback of what few labor market reforms have been managed in recent years, and a France that threatens the survival of the European project.

The choice of Macron should be obvious to libertarians. That is because, for all her anti-establishment bona fides, Le Pen represents an illiberalism that should make anyone who genuinely believes in individualism and individual rights blanch. Her policies include favoring French industry, shortening the working week even further, foreclosing trade, and halting immigration. Even free marketers who dislike the European Union should see that a more independent France bought at the expense of individuals liberty is not worth the price.

Macron is far from a perfect candidate. He served as economy minister in the Socialist government of current president Francois Hollande. He is in favor of an interventionist state and many of the hallmarks of an economic progressive. Yet in the miasma of French politics, his promotion of competition, markets, and labor reforms should be seen as a welcome change from the current feckless administration, and by far the better of the two choices that will face voters in the second round. Opinion polls so far acknowledge this, with it looking like Macron should walk to victory in the runoff. But voters should not let polls fool them, and should get out cast their ballots.

As a whole, the election is exposing the new fault lines in politics today. The traditional party-driven left vs. right binary is breaking down in favor of a personality-driven open vs. closed binary. Some libertarians fetishize national borders and seem to believe that the closing of borders and the breakdown of supranational organizations and institutions like the EU will advance the cause of liberty. Yet that is simply false. Free trade and individual liberty are predicated on the notion that people should be able to make choices for themselves and have control of their own destinies. A reversion to a closed-off, more nativist world of nationalistic tribes is not libertarian and it is not good for human freedom or dignity.

The political elite in France is not the only one facing collapse. The rise of Donald Trump shows the power of the personality-driven political operation and of the resonance of anti-globalist, nativist rhetoric. Le Pen is much like Trump, but with even worse economic instincts and a social attitude bordering on fascistic. If libertarians choose to attach themselves to these sorts of navel-gazing leaders, they will only entrench forces that are antithetical to liberty.

As the political landscape shifts to the open vs. closed dichotomy, libertarians can seize upon that change. We can be the voice for openness, tolerance, and freedom. If we dont seize that opportunity, we will continue to wallow in irrelevance.

But for now, in France, Macron is the man of the hour.

This post was written by John Engle.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

John Engle is a merchant banker and author living in the Chicago area. His company, Almington Capital, invests in both early-stage venture capital and in public equities. His writing has been featured in a number of academic journals, as well as the blogs of the Heartland Institute, Grassroot Institute, and Tenth Amendment Center. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and the University of Oxford, Johns first book, Trinity Student Pranks: A History of Mischief and Mayhem, was published in September 2013.

Like Loading...

Read the original:

Reflections on the Revolution in France - Being Libertarian

Subscribe today for full access on your desktop, tablet, and mobile device.

124

Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about

The head of the Libertarian Party says Democrats and Republicans are "just shrinking and dying."

Try Another

Audio CAPTCHA

Image CAPTCHA

Help

CancelSend

A link has been sent to your friend's email address.

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Libertarian Gary Johnson was his party's presidential candidate last fall.(Photo: Gina Ferazzi, TNS)

MADISON The Democrats were sent into the wilderness after the November elections.

The Libertarians can relate. Theyve been there since their founding in 1971.

But thats changing because of demographics, according to Nicholas Sarwark, the chairman of the national party who will be in northern Wisconsin this weekend for the state partys annual convention.

The Democrats and Republicans are just shrinking and dying, he said in an interview.

My top goal for 2018 is to have every disgruntled voter who is tired of both parties lying to themhave an option on the ballot.

Ideas that Libertarians have long embraced such as allowing same-sex marriage and legalizing marijuana now enjoy mainstream support, he said.

The partys presidential nominee, Gary Johnson, received more support than any Libertarian presidential candidate before him. That said, Johnson still took only a little more than 3% of the vote.

Its getting better, but its slow, said Sarwark, adding it may take 20 years to elect a Libertarian as president.

The Wisconsin Libertarian Party convention began Friday and runsthrough Sunday at Treehaven Education and Conference Center in Tomahawk.

Read or Share this story: https://jsonl.in/2p3nfxo

0:58

2:27

2:29

1:41

3:02

0:53

28:22

1:23

1:44

0:37

0:52

2:12

2:42

0:49

0:49

1:08

1:36

0:35

0:35

1:46

1:26

1:30

1:28

0:08

0:39

1:50

1:16

1:22

0:56

1:07

0) { %>

0) { %>

See the article here:

Wisconsin Libertarians gather in Northwoods - Stevens Point Journal

I am an open-borders libertarian.

That is bound to trigger a substantial amount of readers, because upon reading that statement various preconceptions may arise in their minds. I am a cuck who wants to see our values be raped by foreigners; and I am a left-libertarian who naively believe in tolerance when authoritarian Muslims will never reciprocate.

Except, neither of these things are true.

On the contrary, I firmly identify myself with right-libertarian values. Murray RothbardsThe Ethics of Libertyis what I consider to be a libertarian bible of sorts, and I subscribe to Hans-Hermann Hoppes argumentation ethics in principle. I regard Western values as vastly and unquestionably superior to anything else available, and I regard Islamism and Islamic law as one of the greatest threats to human freedom.

However, I regard several other things as greater threats to human freedom than even Islamism and Islamic law. Full disclosure: I am a South African. South Africans do not have the luxury of debating the petty differences between the major parties who propose to increase taxes. In various parts of Africa, the choice is between Ultimate Marxism, Advanced Marxism, and Lite Marxism. Classical liberalism or even American liberal Keynesianism are not even on the menu. And if there was any doubt: This Marxism is the very same Marxism which was thought up, developed, and exported from Europe. Marxism is a Western ideology. And Marxism, not Islamism, is what is actively leading to South Africas imminent economic and social collapse.

Socialism and all its branches and associates, which in the United States and Europe, arecomingfrom within, is the biggest threat to the continued survival of Western civilization and Western freedom. Subtract mass immigration or refugee intakes, and this problem remains unchanged. In Europe, especially, it does not even matter who immigrants vote for: Socialism has been part of the European politicalfabric for centuries to greater and lesser extents.

Closed-borders libertarians propose to focus much time and effort on a minor itch when there is a massive, gushing wound which deserves more attention. But we oppose both! is the inevitable answer except, this is largely false. Individuals like Donald Trump, Geert Wilders, and Marine Le Pen, despite their blatantly-obvious socialist, or welfarist at least, credentials, received widespread moral, if not practical support from closed-borders libertarians. That is to say, these individuals purposefully made the gushing wound bigger in order to try and solve the itch. This, in America, while they were actively condemning Rand Paul and Gary Johnson for relatively superficial (but not unimportant) imperfections.

Do not get me wrong: I agreewholeheartedlythat refugees should not benefit in the slightest from welfare. In fact, I dont think anyone should benefit from welfare. I have in discussions proposed that instead of telling individuals fleeing for their lives to fuck off, perhaps support very strict legal barriers to them receiving welfare. But in these discussions, my opponents inevitably move on to absurd positions like They use our roads! Taxpayers not refugees paid for those roads! At this stage, it becomes astoundingly clear that there is a reasonableness deficit, for even when I point out that the absolute poor citizens of a nation also often do not contribute tax revenue to the maintenance of roads, they are still, according to closed-borders libertarians, entitled to use the roads. It is obvious from that stage onward that the concern is not about the ethical principles of private property, whereby those who do not contribute must not benefit, but rather about a primitive nativism which is wholly unrelated to libertarian theory.

All this is to say that we need to ensure that we are not talking past each other on the debate about borders. Fundamentally hopefully both open and closed-borders libertarians are on the same side, and differences are to be expected. The problem arises when malicious strawmen are erected whereby open-borders libertarians are accused of enabling communism, supporting the death of Western civilization, or, the most common strawman, that we oppose any and all kinds of vetting. Open-borders libertarians almost unanimously agree on what Austin Petersen would call the Ellis Island model of immigration: a criminal background check and a health check. What open-borders libertarians do oppose, however, is when government has the audacity as a fundamentally anti-economic institution, to tell an immigrant that their skills arent needed or some other lame reason which government has no right to rely upon.

The borders debate has led to much unnecessary tension in the libertarian movement, but has led to necessary debate. My concern is that both sides are talking past each other and, if the strawmen can be set aside, we might be able to discuss the topic with some more understanding. We do, after all, believe in the very same principles.

This post was written by Martin van Staden.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

Martin van Staden is the Editor in Chief of Being Libertarian, the Legal Researcher at the Free Market Foundation, a co-founder of the RationalStandard.com, and the Southern African Academic Programs Director at Students For Liberty. The views expressed in his articles are his own and do not represent any of the aforementioned organizations.

Like Loading...

Excerpt from:

The Chief's Thoughts: Cutting Through the Nonsense on Borders - Being Libertarian

LISTEN TO TLRS LATEST PODCAST:

by Micah J. Fleck

As reported by Independent Political Outlet, the Libertarian Party has released a statement explaining the details of why hardworking American families deserve to be given full, not just partial, refunds on their taxes:

Currently, the average American family pays $13,758 in federal income taxes.

This is enough money to buy a quality pre-owned car. This is enough money to pay tuition for one year at many in-state universities. This is enough money for a down-payment on a nice house.

In short, the amount of money the average American family pays in income taxes is enough money to substantially improve their quality of living.

Libertarians believe that Americans have the right to use their hard-earned money as they see fit. The Libertarian Party calls for a full refund for all Americans and complete abolishment of the income tax.

Libertarian Party Chair Nicholas Sarwark says, Every dollar that the federal government takes from Americans every year is a dollar they cant use to make a better life for themselves and their families. Instead, it is used by politicians to benefit their special interest cronies. The best thing the government could do is to stop stealing money from hard-working people and thats why we are calling for a 100% tax refund to every American.

Playing into a more pathos-laden rhetoric as a means of appeal for libertarian ideals is something that has become much more popular in recent years as a choice of tactic. In this press release, that same tactic seems to be in play. And it isnt wrong: American households could indeed put a down payment ona house, buy a new car, or give their kid a good college education, if it werent for the amount of taxed income that never gets returned.

Income taxes harm the working class. Even the liberals in the theory should be able to get on board with that if they just looked at it objectively. But the question is Will they?

abolisheconomicsIncome TaxesIndependent Political Reportpress releaseThe Libertarian PartyThe LP

Read more here:

Libertarian Party Press Release: Refund ALL Income Taxes for Working Americans - The Libertarian Republic

Subscribe today for full access on your desktop, tablet, and mobile device.

Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about

The head of the Libertarian Party says Democrats and Republicans are "just shrinking and dying."

Post to Facebook

Try Another

Audio CAPTCHA

Image CAPTCHA

Help

A link has been sent to your friend's email address.

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Libertarian Gary Johnson was his party's presidential candidate last fall.(Photo: Gina Ferazzi, TNS)

MADISON The Democrats were sent into the wilderness after the November elections.

The Libertarians can relate. Theyve been there since their founding in 1971.

But thats changing because of demographics, according to Nicholas Sarwark, the chairman of the national party who will be in northern Wisconsin this weekend for the state partys annual convention.

The Democrats and Republicans are just shrinking and dying, he said in an interview.

My top goal for 2018 is to have every disgruntled voter who is tired of both parties lying to themhave an option on the ballot.

Ideas that Libertarians have long embraced such as allowing same-sex marriage and legalizing marijuana now enjoy mainstream support, he said.

The partys presidential nominee, Gary Johnson, received more support than any Libertarian presidential candidate before him. That said, Johnson still took only a little more than 3% of the vote.

Its getting better, but its slow, said Sarwark, adding it may take 20 years to elect a Libertarian as president.

The Wisconsin Libertarian Party convention began Friday and runsthrough Sunday at Treehaven Education and Conference Center in Tomahawk.

Read or Share this story: https://jsonl.in/2p3nfxo

Go here to read the rest:

Wisconsin Libertarians gather in Northwoods - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Thursday, April 20, 2017 10:58 p.m. CDT

Libertarian Party logo.

TOMAHAWK, WI (WSAU-WXPR) -- The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin is bringing their convention and liberty retreat this weekend to Treehaven near Tomahawk.

Founded in 1971, Libertarians run on the platform that the government should not interfere in any personal, family, or business decision.

Phillip Anderson ran in last year's U.S. Senate race and is the interim Wisconsin party Director. He believes Libertarians have positioned themselves for the future.

Anderson said, "We had a lot of people that joined the Libertarian Party. We had a lot of people who identified as Libertarians already but hadn't been engaged in politics. In particular, because of the two candidates that were offered up by Republicans and Democrats, was an opportunity to open up people's eyes to see what's wrong with government, what's wrong with the two big parties. We were able to do that relatively successfully, grow our ranks and increase our visibility."

Anderson says the party is being seen more frequently on the ballot.

"Not because the ballot access laws have changed, that's the unfortunate part, but we're getting better organized and people are more willing to have more choices on the ballot. As I was campaining for U.S. Senate, there were a lot people who identified as Republicans and Democrats but were happy to sign my petition because they felt that regardless of how they voted, they wanted more choices for everybody on the ballot."

Anderson says they will be electing new state officers and representatives this weekend for the state's Congressional districts. The convention is Friday evening through Sunday.

Read the rest here:

Libertarian State Convention this weekend | News | WSAU - WSAU

Ken Krall and Phillip Anderson

A state political convention is coming this weekend to the Northwoods.

The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin is hosting a convention and liberty retreat this weekend at Treehaven near Tomahawk. Founded in 1971, Libertarians strongly oppose any government interference into their personal, family, and business decisions.

Phillip Anderson ran in last year's U.S. Senate race and is the interim Wisconsin party Director.

He says among the speakers is the party's national leader...

"....Libertarian national party chair Nick Sarwark is the keynote speaker. We also have Professor Joseph Daniels, Economics Professor at Marquette University and the radio show host Glenn Klein(Milwaukee radio) will also be speaking...."

Anderson says he thinks Libertarians have positioned themselves for the future....

"...we had a lot of people that joined the Libertarian Party. We had a lot of people who identified as Lilbertarians already but hadn't been engaged in politics. In particular because of the two candidates that were offered up by Republicans and Democrats was an opportunity to open up people's eyes to see what's wrong with government, what's wrong with the two big parties. We were able to do that relatively successfully, grow our ranks and increase our visibility....."

Anderson says the party is being seen more frequently on the ballot...

"....not because the ballot access laws have changed, that's the unfortunate part, but we're getting better organized and people are more willing to have more choices on the ballot. As I was campaining for U.S. Senate, there were a lot people who identified as Republicans and Democrats but were happy to sign my petition because they felt that regardless of how they voted, they wanted more choices for everybody on the ballot...."

Anderson says they will be electing new state officers and representatives in the Congressional districts. The convention is Friday evening through Sunday at Treehaven.

Go here to read the rest:

Libertarian Party State Convention This Weekend At Treehaven ... - WXPR

Being Libertarian

Bitcoin 101 For Morons Being Libertarian If you're an idiot and you want to know what Bitcoin is, you're in the right place. Some time ago, I became more engaged with the libertarian community and kept hearing about Bitcoin; so, I decided to investigate. The only problem is that I'm an idiot ... and more »

The rest is here:

Bitcoin 101 For Morons - Being Libertarian

The Harbinger of Hope Being Libertarian David Leyonhjelm is Australia's answer to Rand Paul and our last hope for a world which isn't bogged down by the gritty fallout from the Frankfurt School touching down on our soil. As a senator in New South Wales, Leyonhjelm espouses libertarian ...

Read the original:

The Harbinger of Hope - Being Libertarian

LISTEN TO TLRS LATEST PODCAST:

By: Elias J. Atienza

Mass Effect: Andromeda has only been out for a couple of weeks, but the game already has me thinking about its libertarian themes. It is set 600 years after the events of the original Mass Effect trilogy, which centered around Commander Shepard and his efforts to stop a galaxy-wide extinction from the mysterious Reapers, bypassing the controversial ending of Mass Effect 3.

Credit: Roston Johnson/Mustang News

The majority of the libertarian themes within Mass Effect: Andromeda come from the Andromeda Initiative being a civilian project, not unlike SpaceX and our real life Elon Musk. It is built on the foundation of space colonization in a distant galaxy, with a 100,000 individuals of different backgrounds and species coming together to do so. It blazes a new frontier, one where governments have not been established and privatization rules the landscape. The objective of the Andromeda Initiative is to establish a foundation in the Heleus Cluster of the Andromeda galaxy, which is more than 2.5 million light years away from the Milky Way. It carries the brightest minds humanity and her allies have to offer: scientists, engineers, military specialists and traders, all of whom are dedicated to the mission of exploration.

The theme that resonates most with libertarians is probably that of diplomacy. The Tempest, which is the ship the Pathfinder uses, isnt heavily armored or armed, and the exploration vehicle, the Nomad, lacks a gun. The goal of the mission is to create new relationships with the species of the Andromeda galaxy, as highlighted by the extensive library and archives dedicated to teaching others. Of course there is a need for self-defense, so the Pathfinder does have access to high-end gear and weapons if necessary. However, the primary goal is to talk to the aliens inhabiting the cluster, not to shoot them.

Other libertarian ideas blossom throughout the game as well. Governments are portrayed as oppressive, as seen in the Kadara port and slums. The Angarans (the native species of Heleus) had been living under Kett occupation for decades. But the Kadara port is liberated by a band of Nexus exiles who were kicked off the station for rebellion. As a result, the Angaran are ruled by a pirate gang who extorts them just like the Kett. However, this new found corporate rule is in line with anarcho-capitalists, which are part of libertarian thought. The exiles charge protection fees and kick out anybody who doesnt pay them. Physical removal, so to speak, which would make libertarian anarcho-capitalist philosopher Hans Hermann Hoppe cry with joy.

However, the most prominent libertarian theme is that of self-reliance. There is no massive government, there is no welfare. Only the reliance on yourself, your friends and a lot of firearms. Unlike Commander Shepard, there is no military hierarchy you can fall back on for support, no massive fleet there to help save the day. It tells of the days of Mass Effect 2, when Commander Shepard had nobody but his crew and ship to rely on in order to take out the Collectors.

Mass Effect: Andromeda is probably the most libertarian game of the series. It reminds me of Firefly in a way, but much more nuanced and even more libertarian. Andromeda is filled with these little pointers. Its not as good as the other Mass Effect games, but it is still a fun way to waste time, just like the Libertarian Party.

diplomacyGovernmentgun rightslibertarianismMass EffectMass Effect AndromedaSci-FI

More:

'Mass Effect: Andromeda': A Libertarian Dreamscape - The Libertarian Republic