To what extent is the Libertarian cause aided by partisanship, by emulating the big parties? by Jack Galway
(libertarian)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
A meet-up group has formed near my home to pursue common ideas about libertarianism. I plan to be a part of this as long as it doesn't get over-engineered.
I believe that the hierarchical natures of the mainstream parties are part of the problem and not the solution.
I am glad to see that "Party" does not appear in the name of this group. To me "party' implies government (as we see in FL and MI, the party organizations can be at least as incompetent as federal government -- where there is smoke there is fire).
Thus my comment about the Groucho Marx (or was it Mark Twain) problem, in my introduction. I am really looking forward to meeting the kinds of intellects that can even understand libertarianism, but beyond that I am looking forward to some healthy debate. What are the libertarian principles? How can they be implemented in a partisan mode? How can they apply in a governmental setting? If we admit that hardship, what can be our role?
The simplest answer that fits all the facts is most likely to be true. -- Occam's Razor
I was taken back by how fast I got a response from the organizer, who wrote that libertarianism and anarchism were sometimes confused. And he made a nice reference to the specialties that government may perform, such as military, financial, and infrastructural. Then I responded that we are not really talking about national government but . . .
I'm with you . . . regarding national government, but what about party rules, what about the hierachical natures of the major national parties?
I am definitely a minarchist, per A. Lincoln -- "No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent."
I hesitate here to expand on my opinions on the problems surrounding the military, the financial arm, and the infrastructure infrastructure of our federal government.
Next, the shepherd poses the eminently reasonable idea that the two-party dudes have got a big lead on us, so we may need to consider some fighting fire with fire. Adding to this there is a post from the Chair of our state's LP. He points out that partisanship is just the route he has chosen, and he says that this is his way of defending his children from totalitarianism (ie the end justifies the means?).
Let me say here that I value both of these approaches. But I am leery of the human urge to organize. After all, at least half of me is conservative!
I write:
OK, but don't be surprised if I don't volunteer for the rules and bylaws committee. I would be interested in seeing how many rules were fashioned for Ron Paul 2008.
Btw, I think that libertarianism has the best chance of flourishing as a natural phenomenon -- the last people standing when the majors have destroyed themselves. Because it is based on reason, and clear principles. I have no problem, however, with an organized popular education effort on these.
All American parties have been marked by a birth AND a death -- maybe there is another way. Why yes there is another way! By what party's plans did the Boston Tea Party come to take place?
. . . I am trying to sound a note of caution. Authoritarianism is the inimical enemy, and the eventual conqueror of libertarianism.
I am a fan of spontaneity. Let's have a party (of the Boston Tea variety), then we should assure that the accountants, social scientoids, politicos, and lawyers do not come in to crash the refreshments.
I would be very gratified to see some debate here at Nolan Chart on the ideas suggested here. Give me your comments.
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