re: "Plumbline Libertarianism" Pro and Con

FreezeTheFascism — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:38:42 GMT

I agree with David. I would consider myself a little L libertarian. I firmly believe the only place force or a threat thereof may be justified is in punishment or prevention of violence against person or property. That said, I have found the alienation between Libertarians and social Conservatives to be pretty strong because of the methods either side may use in their approach. Having been a relatively intelligent but incurious Republican up to about a year ago, it bothers me to hear friends go on about 'evil' economics pundits or newscasters. They may be just like I was: less informed. I wasn't evil, and it certainly wasn't accusations of being so that led me to a greater understanding of liberty and its benefits and moral nature.

I have had great success with Social Conservatives, people who want the government to outlaw everything from drugs to gay marriage, simply by pointing out that if the government is used to prevent such things it can also prevent favorable social activities such as proselytizing the Gospel. Suggest that what they really object to is the government force involved in taking tax money to pay for teaching the lifestyles they object to in public schools or the government 'licensing' what was always a religious event in the first place and they inevitably agree that if the government just got out of it all together they wouldn't really care.

There is an incredibly degree of common ground on the theory of less government intervention, and it only alienates people to approach them as some sort of Shia Libertarian.

re: "Plumbline Libertarianism" Pro and Con

David Z — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:50:23 GMT

I think the best approach, in terms of plumb-line-ism, is simply to try not to alienate people: don't go on the offensive. Don't call people evil, or "socialist" simply because they advocate public policy with which you disagree - at least not until they fully understand their set of beliefs (most people don't!). I find it's better to demonstrate alternatives, even in theory. So much better than the adversarial approach.