V For Viability
columnist: Spencer Jayden

Topic: Libertarianism
What the Future Holds

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A preface to my column which will employ both opinion and reason into maximizing the Libertarian Party's presence.

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by Spencer Jayden
(Libertarian)
Sunday, April 27, 2008

"Revolutions are long-term projects."- Ron Paul

For 37 years, the Libertarian Party has been sidelined in the American political arena, along with countless other third parties. In a way, it's had a few successes. But to rephrase that same sentence: it's had success in few ways. The LP boasts its claim as America's third largest party and counters ballot access struggles with relative triumph. But the party has never really caught on in the American public- a fact we can easily blame on the mainstream media and the stagnant political duopoly rather than ourselves.

Perhaps, it is time to address perceptions that we tend to influence. Among one of the most prevalent criticisms that libertarians will take offense to is the accusation of being elitist.

This elitism branding is certainly a sufficient enough retardant that may or may not strangle the Libertarian Party, but that discredits our infighting a tad bit much. I'm referring to the principled and consistent versus pragmatic and contesting debate. Unfortunately, for too long, it has been simplified into a question of whether we should run principled candidates or not. This is another example of the absolutism that plagues our party over all. Folks, I don't blame you for your idealism. But consider when any immediate AND principled action has aided the public good in our past. Of the few exceptions of libertarians elected internationally, how many of them weren't in the end disastrous to the embedded socio-economic structures of their respective communities?

The past few months I have been reading the Nolan Chart, I have been underwhelmed by the lack of actual discussion over furthering libertarian goals. Most articles can't seem to get far without making Ron Paul the main point of their article, as if he is the center of the libertarian universe. And several columns are devoid of diversity, all emphasizing a certain 'malaise' quality all the while they're preaching to the choir about things, in essence, we can all agree about. What good does this do us?


Here is my pitch. That the purpose of my column may henceforth serve a discussion on how we can ensure the presence of the Libertarian Party and its success, in whatever stance is best to remedy our growing problems (mainstream or principled). I haven't done something like this before, and that's where I'm inviting you to join in. This is not merely in the interests of the Libertarian party, but for those faithful to the ideology as well. So for future intents and purposes, let us make these assumptions:

1) That the rest of the Libertarian Party's political potency is limited to about 2 and a half decades.

Unlikely, but the urgency has never been higher and we have reached a critical window of time in which to take hold of the reigns. Miss it and there is little chance that we will ever get this opportunity again.

2) Ideas and plans we implement now will take at least a decade or more to bear some success.

This is seeded firmly in common sense. In order to foster our plans, we must plan for the long-term, as all knowledgeable powers have done. This means accounting for any interference to hijack our momentum and agenda in the future, as well as any events that may coincide with anything we attempt.

3) The 2004 Platform be the definitive authority on principle and stances, as opposed to the weak, abridged, but more mainstream 2006 version.

4) Lasting, meaningful change is achieved through slow, often daunting, struggles.

Ah hell, I'll make it simple: I'm talking about compromise here. This will probably eliminate many of the purists, and the more specified my focus, the better. Please note, I'm not trying to discourage your fight, much less alienate you. In fact, I encourage you to keep making choices that are consistent with your beliefs. I, likewise, do not view anyone that is willing to compromise any better than you. This is merely one avenue to attain prominence, and from what I have judged of our social climate, the more accessible one.

In closing, I look forward to many other articles, on a broad range of topics, and hearing from all sides on the issues. We cannot become better if we do not listen to our own criticism. Indeed, the Libertarian Party has paid enough for silencing its own debate over principle versus mainstream. The most pressing issue, pending your response of course, will be education. So let me know what you're thinking.

-Spence

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2008 Spencer Jayden, all rights reserved.
Published: Sunday, April 27, 2008
Last modified: Sunday, April 27, 2008

The views expressed in this article are those of Spencer Jayden only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Spencer Jayden is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.

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