Are Libertarians Closet Anarchists?

[Paulie]

Considering that libertarians recognize a need for government, and anarchists recognize no need for government at all, I don't even see how they can be compared.

 

[Si modo]

Considering that libertarians recognize a need for government, and anarchists recognize no need for government at all, I don't even see how they can be compared.

I buy into a lot of libertarian ideals, but more accurately, I am a Constitutionalist with a lot of Neocon in me who happens to be a registered Republican.

Two words: Limited government.

 

[PLYMCO_PILGRIM]

Considering that libertarians recognize a need for government, and anarchists recognize no need for government at all, I don't even see how they can be compared.

I buy into a lot of libertarian ideals, but more accurately, I am a Constitutionalist with a lot of Neocon in me who happens to be a registered Republican.

Two words: Limited government.

That government is best which governs least -Thomas Paine.

Seriously that sums up the libertarian viewpoint perfectly.

 

[Paulie]

Considering that libertarians recognize a need for government, and anarchists recognize no need for government at all, I don't even see how they can be compared.

I buy into a lot of libertarian ideals, but more accurately, I am a Constitutionalist with a lot of Neocon in me who happens to be a registered Republican.

Two words: Limited government.

If you could just shed that neocon thing I could marry you

That other avatar you had the other day wouldn't hurt either, i miss it.

 

[WillowTree]

I'm having a closet sale this weekend all items and sex toys on sale at a reduced price. you can catch me at 112 FlameZone Blvd.

 

[Si modo]

Considering that libertarians recognize a need for government, and anarchists recognize no need for government at all, I don't even see how they can be compared.

I buy into a lot of libertarian ideals, but more accurately, I am a Constitutionalist with a lot of Neocon in me who happens to be a registered Republican.

Two words: Limited government.

If you could just shed that neocon thing I could marry you

That other avatar you had the other day wouldn't hurt either, i miss it.

I can't help it. I have dreams of world domination as a benevolent dictator while keeping our system. And, my SO might have a thing or two to say (more likely, do) about that, too.

You can thank Syrenn for finding that avatar. I did it for a cause. I have good reason to keep my avatar free of any implcation of gender.

But, here you go, for your viewing pleasure:

 

[Paulie]

A benevolent dictator, huh?

I'd be interested in hearing an elaboration on that...

 

[Mr. Shaman]

We've argued over the house left to burn because the homeowner failed to pay an optional fee for fire protection, and many "Libertarians'" or conservatives have argued vehemently against using the taxing power of government to assure fire protection for every structure.

Fine, fine fine....but it left me wondering, what do Libertarians see as essential government services?

I'm sure there's no one universally-accepted Libertarian hymnal, but I have read so often on USMB that "education is never mentioned in the constitution" and "the general welfare clause does not support Obamacare", etc. I am fairly certain most Libertarians are opposed to any social program whatsoever. Am I correct in this?

What about national defense? Immigration and border protection?

How about currency, banking regulation etc.? Any role for government in this vein considered to be essential by Libertarians?

What about criminal law and justice? Would a Libertarian support anti-drug or anti-abortion laws? Anti-suicide laws? Anti-murder laws?

We could just close all government offices and declare the US is now a ginormous commune. Does that appeal to a Libertarian?

Just how close is a Libertarian to an anarchist?

Libertarians are just a notch up from anarchy. They do not believe Government above local has any authority over them ( or rather shouldn't) They believe that a court should be used to solve problems not the Government via enforced laws. A Local Court of course.

I've heard o' those.......

Who needs any kind o' national-standards, right?​

 

[johnrocks]

We've argued over the house left to burn because the homeowner failed to pay an optional fee for fire protection, and many "Libertarians'" or conservatives have argued vehemently against using the taxing power of government to assure fire protection for every structure.

Fine, fine fine....but it left me wondering, what do Libertarians see as essential government services?

I'm sure there's no one universally-accepted Libertarian hymnal, but I have read so often on USMB that "education is never mentioned in the constitution" and "the general welfare clause does not support Obamacare", etc. I am fairly certain most Libertarians are opposed to any social program whatsoever. Am I correct in this?

What about national defense? Immigration and border protection?

How about currency, banking regulation etc.? Any role for government in this vein considered to be essential by Libertarians?

What about criminal law and justice? Would a Libertarian support anti-drug or anti-abortion laws? Anti-suicide laws? Anti-murder laws?

We could just close all government offices and declare the US is now a ginormous commune. Does that appeal to a Libertarian?

Just how close is a Libertarian to an anarchist?

Libertarians are just a notch up from anarchy. They do not believe Government above local has any authority over them ( or rather shouldn't) They believe that a court should be used to solve problems not the Government via enforced laws. A Local Court of course.

I've heard o' those.......

Who needs any kind o' national-standards, right?​

The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment was national standards, mind if I place that next to your lynching picture?
NPR : Remembering the Tuskegee Experiment

 

[2Parties]

To me it's never been about "need" for government. To me it's always been about what is right and what is wrong. Is "turn the other cheek" something to be said or truly lived? Does "do not kill" really mean that? Things start to come in a little more in focus if you aren't looking for how to get "justice" or revenge, or if you aren't trying to solve the world's problems.

 

[Titanic Sailor]

Ya, didn't the Democrats run Tuskegee too? Damn, those nasty fucks huh?

 

[arKangel]

As one who has been accused of being an Anarchist...

I'd have to say that no, Libertarians for the most part are not anarchists.

Anarchists do not believe that "government" of man is at all neccesary - such evil is not neccesary. "Government" being defined as the gold worshipping elitists that hate the natural order of family based (or tribal) law.

The political "Libertarian Party" doesn't seem to know what they believe. Sure some are anarchists, but some of them are just pinkos posing. And some of them are just burn-outs who just happen to be a little smarter than your average republicrat.

Just like the term "liberal", the term "libertarian" is usurped by pinkos, just not as often.
For example: Faux Libertarians claim that homicide is OK just as long it is little babies that are killed for profit... Those types are clearly anti-individualist pinko tools. Considering they are preaching communist montra, they could hardly be called Anarchist.
Dr. Ron Paul is an example of a pro-life Libertarian who genuinely advocates individulism. Even though Dr. Paul is a fair example of a Libertarian, in the true sense of the word, as an active congressman it would be quite a stretch to call him an Anarchist.



At the moment, I cannot think of a bigger oxymoron than an elitist fool who calls themselves an anarcho-socialist/communist.

Real liberals, real libertarians, and most of all, the dreaded anarchists scare the daylights out of elitist tyrants. That is why they usurp such labels, as if they can make the meaning of such words disappear, they will make such people disappear. Or at the very least such people will abandon their true ideology and call themselves "conservative".
Pinkos generally seem to consider "conservatives" to be useful idiots, after all conservatism is a very relative sort of psuedo-ideology. It is easily manipulated to the goals of the rich.