- 22 Jan 2013 21:55
#14154572
In recent months I've begun to accept more and more libertarian logic on things. I've come to recognize that there is a point to the economic calculation problem and that most of what government touches is ruined. So in spite of my libertarian bashing in the past I'd say at this point I'm about 75% libertarian. That being said I've come to view it through a pragmatic lens. Libertarian thinking makes sense on more issues than it does not but I'd like to avoid calling myself a libertarian. I don't care for labels anymore you see. The thing of it is it all boils down to logic. I look at the individual issues and sometimes the stance corresponding to an ideology seems the most reasonable to me but it doesn't make me that ideology. As of right now the libertarian stance is usually making the most sense but it doesn't make me a libertarian.
I've been reading more from across the spectrum lately and I've always been a social libertarian. In the end my harsh criticism was more a reaction to extremism than anything. But I come back to this forum after a hiatus and see polls where half the people are supporting 20 hour work weeks and mandatory national service and other statist insanity. I guess my problem with libertarianism is there is an "ultimate" position. I think the problems of the current era are too much state, but perhaps in the 19th century it was not enough state in the economy. At this point though I recognize the problem and I can work with libertarians to take us to the points I agree with, and we can fight about the points we do not.
In general though I have noted the progressive movement in America getting even more statist. Obama just gave a speech where he said welfare brings freedom. When I hear these type of things it frightens me as to what this nation is starting to become.
I guess at the end of the day I'm sort of like an agnostic who wants desperately to be religious but who can't ultimately accept the full religion because he just can't believe it. He wishes it were true but knows the evidence is not there in his mind.
I'd really love to be a libertarian. The idea of an absolute minimal state or no state at all is really beautiful to me, and one of the things I admire about libertarianism is its pure philosophical consistency. To me there is something to be said in having an analysis of everything, particularly the case for Rothbardian libertarians. But in the end I know market failure exists and it is for that reason I cannot accept the religion in full.
I've been reading more from across the spectrum lately and I've always been a social libertarian. In the end my harsh criticism was more a reaction to extremism than anything. But I come back to this forum after a hiatus and see polls where half the people are supporting 20 hour work weeks and mandatory national service and other statist insanity. I guess my problem with libertarianism is there is an "ultimate" position. I think the problems of the current era are too much state, but perhaps in the 19th century it was not enough state in the economy. At this point though I recognize the problem and I can work with libertarians to take us to the points I agree with, and we can fight about the points we do not.
In general though I have noted the progressive movement in America getting even more statist. Obama just gave a speech where he said welfare brings freedom. When I hear these type of things it frightens me as to what this nation is starting to become.
I guess at the end of the day I'm sort of like an agnostic who wants desperately to be religious but who can't ultimately accept the full religion because he just can't believe it. He wishes it were true but knows the evidence is not there in his mind.
I'd really love to be a libertarian. The idea of an absolute minimal state or no state at all is really beautiful to me, and one of the things I admire about libertarianism is its pure philosophical consistency. To me there is something to be said in having an analysis of everything, particularly the case for Rothbardian libertarians. But in the end I know market failure exists and it is for that reason I cannot accept the religion in full.