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Could you clarify the distinction between libertarian and classical liberal? I know many libertarians treat these terms as synonyms, and I know there is a diver

Could you clarify the distinction between libertarian and classical liberal? I know many libertarians treat these terms as synonyms, and I know there is a diversity of attitudes within the libertarian camp, but I'm not sure how they match up with what you are saying.

tomrod 4y ago
Classical liberalism overlaps in politics with some of the Libertarian party. The little (l) libertarians in the US are, recently in the age of Trumpism, conservatives embarrassed with the GOP as a conservative party and their support for authoritarianism/traditionalism. They adopt big (L) name, but typically aren't informed on a lot of classical liberalism thought and history. Classical liberalism is a large umbrella and incorporates principles from the left and right. It's defining characteristic is eschewing authoritarianism. For a very casual introduction, check out the Political Compass [0] [0] https://www.politicalcompass.org/test https://www.politicalcompass.org/test
- lliamander 4y ago
  Ok, I think I follow. If I might rephrase, you are talking about the difference between philosophical libertarians vs. reflexive "don't tread on me" libertarians, correct? > The little (l) libertarians in the US are, recently in the age of Trumpism, conservatives embarrassed with the GOP as a conservative party and their support for authoritarianism/traditionalism. I find it interesting when people associate Trumpism with authoritarianism, when it was the pre-Trump GOP establishment that brought us a great many foreign wars and the Patriot Act. Trump is a populist, and there's a long history of friendly relations between libertarians and populists (e.g. the Rothbard/Buchanon alliance) though I recognize many libertarians also despise populism. The Mises caucus, which is currently in control of the Libertarian party, follows in the Rothbardian strain.
  - tomrod 4y ago
    Trumpism is a symptom of the underlying authoritarianism present since the Southern Strategy. I think we agree more than we disagree there. Otherwise, yep.
    - lliamander 4y ago
      Equating Trumpism with the Southern Strategy makes little sense. Trump won a larger share of the black vote than any Republican presidential candidate since Goldwater.

tomrod 4y ago

Classical liberalism overlaps in politics with some of the Libertarian party. The little (l) libertarians in the US are, recently in the age of Trumpism, conservatives embarrassed with the GOP as a conservative party and their support for authoritarianism/traditionalism. They adopt big (L) name, but typically aren't informed on a lot of classical liberalism thought and history. Classical liberalism is a large umbrella and incorporates principles from the left and right. It's defining characteristic is eschewing authoritarianism. For a very casual introduction, check out the Political Compass [0] [0] https://www.politicalcompass.org/test https://www.politicalcompass.org/test

lliamander 4y ago
Ok, I think I follow. If I might rephrase, you are talking about the difference between philosophical libertarians vs. reflexive "don't tread on me" libertarians, correct? > The little (l) libertarians in the US are, recently in the age of Trumpism, conservatives embarrassed with the GOP as a conservative party and their support for authoritarianism/traditionalism. I find it interesting when people associate Trumpism with authoritarianism, when it was the pre-Trump GOP establishment that brought us a great many foreign wars and the Patriot Act. Trump is a populist, and there's a long history of friendly relations between libertarians and populists (e.g. the Rothbard/Buchanon alliance) though I recognize many libertarians also despise populism. The Mises caucus, which is currently in control of the Libertarian party, follows in the Rothbardian strain.
- tomrod 4y ago
  Trumpism is a symptom of the underlying authoritarianism present since the Southern Strategy. I think we agree more than we disagree there. Otherwise, yep.
  - lliamander 4y ago
    Equating Trumpism with the Southern Strategy makes little sense. Trump won a larger share of the black vote than any Republican presidential candidate since Goldwater.