HELP!!

[beandelphiki]

Okay. Can anyone explain these two things to me? Either one?


1. Libertarianism

2. Objectivism


I want to understand what they are about.

Comments

[siegeengine.livejournal.com]

oh.. Libertarianism I know a little bit about.

They basically think people should be free to do whatever they wish, with few boundaries and almost no government intrusion. They think people should be free to succeed wildly, or fail miserably, and that it's just up to them which one they will do. Very "hands-off" in terms of government... and many of them would get rid of government altogether if they thought it would be possible.

That's pure libertarianism. Most libertarians are quasi-democratic, in that they feel that certain people in certain situations should receive some government assitance.

(see Libertarian.org for more details, if you're so inclined.)

'course, I'm a bleeding heart liberal democrat... so I don't subscribe to their beliefs, but they are interesting!...

[endogenousardor.livejournal.com]

I can't speak to objectivism, but I can to libertarianism.

One of my earliest posts after starting an LJ speaks to my libertarian values. You can read it here.

As you're learning about libertarianism, don't confuse it with anarchy. Many people think that libertarians believe in no government at all, when in fact they believe in a government focused on ensuring that no one is the object of coercion, violence, threat of violence, and fraud. We're NOT NOT NOT anti-state... we're just against a state that dictates morality and economic behavior.

[beandelphiki.livejournal.com]

No violence?!!? Goddamnit, does that mean I have to hand over Half-Life and DOOM?


NOOOOOOOOO, never!

[poopsmoothie.livejournal.com]

I call myself a libertarian, but I qualify it. The above responses are pretty good about defining it as I understand it. Go read some Rand or Heinlein or something. :)

[poopsmoothie.livejournal.com]

No, just no REAL violence. You're free to imagine it. ;)

Re:

[endogenousardor.livejournal.com]

"No violence?!!? Goddamnit, does that mean I have to hand over Half-Life and DOOM?"

Only if you begin to confuse gameplay with real life and start chopping folks in two. Until your behavior infringes on the rights of others to act freely on their own moral and economic choices, you're free to do as you please.

[endogenousardor.livejournal.com]

The best resource for beginners that I've ever found is The Libertarian Reader, which is definitely in print and available from Amazon. I've seen it at Borders and Barnes & Noble as well.

It touches on the philosophical, economic, and political foundations of classic liberal thought, which is what libertarianism really is. It excerpts essays by many great liberal thinkers going back thousands of years.

As an aside, the term 'libertarian' was adopted this century because the word 'liberal' was misappropriated by the American left. In many countries 'liberal' retains its classical meaning of greater liberty, less state control, and a greater reliance on free-market economics. So when you hear of a 'Liberal Party' in some other country, don't confuse it with the Liberal Wing of the Democratic Party here in the U.S. Liberals in America would be known as socialists elsewhere, and are about as anti-liberal as you can be (in the classic definition of the word).

[beandelphiki.livejournal.com]

I love how people are competing to give me info on this!

[endogenousardor.livejournal.com]

You might also post your original question in the libertarian community. I bet you'll get a plethora of responses there, as well.

[beandelphiki.livejournal.com]

*wince*

Some people there don' liiiike me....I was saving that as a last resort, and I didn't think I'd need it. I have you!

Re:

[endogenousardor.livejournal.com]

What's not to like? ;-)