Can you call yourself Libertarian if you don't buy the anarcho-capitalism song and dance?

Question

I'm probably voting for Obama.

If it looks like he's got it locked, I'll vote for Barr instead because I agree with MOST, not all of what Libertarians profess.

There's no litmus test for calling yourself Libertarian.

I agree 100% on personal freedom issues.

I feel they are right on the money with criticism of the Federal Reserve, subsidized monopolies, and other things.

I couldn't disagree more on anarcho-capitalism. It sounds so naive! So I hold off from saying I'm a Libertarian.

But more and more I'm repelled by the Republicrat uniparty! I'm sick of a system that rewards itself for failure with our tax dollars!

The only ones even discussing this are the Libertarians.

I'm finding that the Green party (in part) and the Libertarians (in part) have an agenda that is more in line with what I believe than anything coming out from either major party candiate.

If I was going to be involved with any of them, it would be the Libertarians. But I refuse to defend anarcho-capitalism.

How Libertarian does that make me?

Answer 1

I'm a conservative libertarian who happens to be a strong believer in capitalism.  But, I qualify that by saying that I don't believe in monopolies being formed that doesn't allow other businesses to compete.  I don't believe in monopolies that have been formed with the backing of our politicians because they've sold their hearts and souls to special interest groups and lobbyists and lastly, I don't support corporate welfare in any way, shape or form.

I understand your aggravation and sympathize with you in many ways, and unlike you, will vote for the Republican side as I refuse to waste my vote and bring fully-blown socialism into this country, something far, far worse.  

Answer 2

Not all libertarians go by anarcho-captilism.  

Answer 3

Considering the varying degrees of anarcho-capitalism, yes you can. Most libertarians actually prefer reduced government intrusion. They do not prefer anarchy. libertarians are not anarchists, because they realize a certain amount of limits set by laws protects their rights and freedom.

They aren't really anarcho-capitalists even though many of the anarcho-capitalists call themselves libertarians. That is about as bad of a misconception as a right-wing extremist calling themself a conservative.

Why do they call themselves libertarians? what else would they call themselves? Anarchists? fascist if they support free reign of giant conglomerates?

Answer 4

Capitalism is a name we slap on a type of structure that emerges from a market system.  Anarcho-capitalists will typically argue that capitalism is the freedom to do whatever you like with your labor and purchase whatever goods you like.  Others will argue that the capitalist system consistently forms a hierarchal structure that results in powerful controlling conglomerates and/or unhappy, exploited workers.

Either way I'd say you can call yourself libertarian if you support the non-aggression principle.  As long as all associations are voluntary the proffered economic model can vary between libertarians.

Calling yourself Libertarian (capital L) usually implies an association with the Libertarian political party.  In that case I'd say you could call yourself Libertarian if you beliefs coincide with the beliefs of the other members of your party and those who they run for office.

Answer 5

Traditionally, the term "libertarian" referred to anarchists, the extreme left wing of the socialist movement, and to other anti-authoritarian socialists near them. (Socialism did not traditionally refer to statism, but to worker-ownership-and-control of the means of production; this ws regardless of whether this ownership was as individuals, voluntary groups, or through the state. Capitalism traditionally referred to non-worker-ownership-and-control of the means of production.)

Only about a hundred or more years after the term had come into use did anyone suggest that a capitalist could also be an anarchist or a libertarian.

*****

Former Republican Bob Barr had a very authoritarian voting

record in Congress. He claims to now oppose many things he

once favored, such as the PATRIOT Act and the war on drugs.

But even if this is the case, he remains at best somewhere on

the fuzzy border between libertarian and conservative. So

libertarians will likely not consider him a strong choice to

represent their views.

In a study that ranked congress-critters by their degree of

libertarianism, Ron Paul predictably topped the list, but other

Republicans are few and far between until you reach the

bottom. Democrats identified with the "left" wing of the

Democratic Party, such as Dennis Kucinich, ranked near the

top of the list. Independent "socialist" Bernard Sanders also

scored near the top of the list.

Another who scored near the top of the list is Cynthia

McKinney, who was booted out of the Democratic Party.

She is now running for president with the Green Party.

(The study is available here: http://tinyurl.com/3oenjh )

(Another reference that libertarians might want to consider

is the Political Compass's rankings for the US 2008

presidential primaries: http://tinyurl.com/25dj2k )

I would say that Cynthia McKinney is probably the best choice

for libertarians in the 2008 presidential election.

Readers might want to check out a brief article I wrote on who

libertarians should vote for in the 2008 presidential election:

http://tinyurl.com/3l6tds

*****

News & Views for Anarchists & Activists:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo/

Answer 6

Labels aren't important but call yourself whatever you like.  Start your own party!

The reality is that since 3rd parties never have a majority, they only function to bring issues to the debate and are only of value in the primaries.  Unfortunately we have a 2 party system that was put in power on day one and that won't change in our lifetime.

So pick who you think is "least worst" and vote.  We all have to.