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Often encountered the question in discussions -
"Why are you not a libertarian/classical liberal"?
I was one, back in my 20s
Outgrew that for a few reasons
1. Classical liberalism is predicated on "reason". Tends to dismiss prejudice altogether
2. It ignores history/culture
"Why are you not a libertarian/classical liberal"?
I was one, back in my 20s
Outgrew that for a few reasons
1. Classical liberalism is predicated on "reason". Tends to dismiss prejudice altogether
2. It ignores history/culture
Classical liberalism is fundamentally anti-politics
Because it is based on the universalizing notions of individual liberty, economic freedom
It does not acknowledge "groups", "special interests"
Because it is based on the universalizing notions of individual liberty, economic freedom
It does not acknowledge "groups", "special interests"
E.g libertarians insist on low tariffs
But then zero tariffs are always in general interest. They may reduce prices for everybody just a wee bit
But not in the special interest of any group.
So if the idea is to support domestic industry, zero tariffs may not be beneficial
But then zero tariffs are always in general interest. They may reduce prices for everybody just a wee bit
But not in the special interest of any group.
So if the idea is to support domestic industry, zero tariffs may not be beneficial
Now the classical liberal position on this is to look down upon "special interests"
That& #39;s because the liberal tendency is to view things in a nation-agnostic and culture-agnostic way
That& #39;s because the liberal tendency is to view things in a nation-agnostic and culture-agnostic way
This extends to arguments on immigration
Libertarians may dream of an America of a billion people. But an America that large will be very far removed from its WASP roots / heritage
Libertarians may dream of an America of a billion people. But an America that large will be very far removed from its WASP roots / heritage
While that may be viewed with a sense of loss by conservatives, for classical liberals it is irrelevant
As they view human beings mostly as a statistic. Oblivious to the variety among them. In that sense, they are not that different from progressives
As they view human beings mostly as a statistic. Oblivious to the variety among them. In that sense, they are not that different from progressives
Tangible things like GDP, trade volume are appreciated by libertarians
Not so much intangibles like loss of cultures, values, decimation of ways of living
Not so much intangibles like loss of cultures, values, decimation of ways of living
If you bring it up, they will turn to the rhetoric of "individual choice"
But then, "groups" have their own identity. Distinct from that of individuals
Group sentiment / group prejudice is what makes a civilization
But then, "groups" have their own identity. Distinct from that of individuals
Group sentiment / group prejudice is what makes a civilization
