Libertarianism is often described by its most devoted followers and its most critical detractors as an extremist ideology bent on abolishing all forms of government.  While this may be true for some small segment of ideologues, libertarianism is really more accurately described as a gradual spectrum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on the criteria at http://www.politicalcompass.org, this graph shows the
gradual nature of libertarianism - and my interpretation of where a few candidates 
fit into the scale. 

 

To summarize the libertarian position, I would say that it is an inclination that, whenever possible, government should stay out of the private lives of citizens.

You might have libertarian inclinations yourself, and here's a few issues to test the idea:

• The War on Drugs:  Libertarian-leaning voters may see any number of problems with this campaign.  From no-knock raids to overcrowded jails, or maybe just the severity of punishment for what is essentially a self-destructive crime, libertarians tend to be skeptical of the entire anti-drug effort.
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• The Patriot Act:  If you think the bill of rights applies to all written federal law, you might find a problem with no-warrant searches, indefinite detainment, and a lack of a jury trial.  Maybe you don't even care if non-citizens don't get these protections - but there's definitely a libertarian streak in there if you think U.S. citizens at least deserve the basic protections granted in the constitution.
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• Regulating Political Speech:  McCain helped further the cause of regulating political speech and campaign contributions - to a libertarian, this just puts more power in the government's hands and limits what private citizens can do with their property and opinions.
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• Limiting Gun Ownership:  This one attracts a lot of libertarians on the right.  Any time one is forced to choose between the power of the state and the rights of the individual, the libertarian bias is toward the individual.
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2008 Candidates with Libertarian Leanings 

Ron Paul -  The biggest libertarian to hit the internet - so far.  Critics and purists complain that Ron Paul isn't libertarian enough, and others argue he is way too libertarian to be seriously considered.  In federal politics, he tends toward the libertarian solution - less government regulation, end the war on drugs, and let the states impose their own laws - libertarian or not.

 

Barack Obama - On the left side of the economic scale, Obama is aligning his campaign with various libertarian principles as well.   Although he favors extensive government intervention in the economic arenas of medicine, education, and broadband expansion, he shores up his libertarian credentials with his positions on the War on Drugs and Patriot Act.  His campaign positions are even more libertarian than his voting record - and this probably helps him expand his support beyond the traditional Democratic party lines.

 

You Might be a Libertarian...

• If you think personal liberty is more important than a politicians' power
• If you think people should be allowed to make bad decisions and live with the consequences
• If you trust your neighbor more than you trust your Senator
• If you still have some faith left in humanity

 

Don't take my word for it... take the test at Political Compass - then share how you rate in the political identity discussion! 

 

 

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.