Difference between revisions of "What Is Libertarianism?"
From Critiques Of Libertarianism
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hich emphasizes the notion of virtue in selfishness and has as its historical genesis the exceptional American experience. As such, it appeals mostly to white American males who are moderately above-average in intelligence, economically secure, independently-minded, and prefer simplistic theoretical constructs for making political and moral decisions. It validates their own affluence/privilege not by group affiliation, but by inherent individual merit; and it likewise superficially validates the poverty and lack of privilege of others not on the basis of group affiliation, but inherent fault. In this it mimics a meritocratic view, which allows the libertarian to congratulate himself on his lack of bigotry; but, in fact, it is a facade behind which his true bigotry hides. [http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2009/08/what-is-libertarianism/#comment-1644385 Keith M Ellis] | hich emphasizes the notion of virtue in selfishness and has as its historical genesis the exceptional American experience. As such, it appeals mostly to white American males who are moderately above-average in intelligence, economically secure, independently-minded, and prefer simplistic theoretical constructs for making political and moral decisions. It validates their own affluence/privilege not by group affiliation, but by inherent individual merit; and it likewise superficially validates the poverty and lack of privilege of others not on the basis of group affiliation, but inherent fault. In this it mimics a meritocratic view, which allows the libertarian to congratulate himself on his lack of bigotry; but, in fact, it is a facade behind which his true bigotry hides. [http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2009/08/what-is-libertarianism/#comment-1644385 Keith M Ellis] | ||
== A Simplistic Ideology == | == A Simplistic Ideology == | ||
| − | Kevin Carson calls this "vulgar libertarianism". Simple rules for identifying friends and enemies, righteous and unrighteous. Private or public? Statist or freedom loving? Individualist or collectivist? Market or coercive? | + | Kevin Carson calls this "vulgar libertarianism". Simple rules for identifying friends and enemies, righteous and unrighteous. Private or public? Statist or freedom loving? Individualist or collectivist? Market or coercive? Ignorant or enlightened? Libertarians portray themselves as elite because of their ideological righteousness: just read Atlas Shrugged for that mentality. |
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== A Cargo Cult == | == A Cargo Cult == | ||
Libertarians expect gifts from the sky if they perform the right philosophical rituals: surrender of political rights, surrender of all government property claims, etc. This has been called "The White Men's Ghost Dance" by Bob Black. They have the unrealistic assumption that if they succeed, they will have an advantage because they knew the magic ritual philosophy first. But instead, the rich and powerful will step right in as the oligarchs did in Russia. | Libertarians expect gifts from the sky if they perform the right philosophical rituals: surrender of political rights, surrender of all government property claims, etc. This has been called "The White Men's Ghost Dance" by Bob Black. They have the unrealistic assumption that if they succeed, they will have an advantage because they knew the magic ritual philosophy first. But instead, the rich and powerful will step right in as the oligarchs did in Russia. | ||
== Snarky Definitions == | == Snarky Definitions == | ||
