The Libertarian debate

A very active debate on No Right Turn about libertarianism. There’s also some links in the comments to other postings.

I self identify as a (imperfect) classical liberal, which libertarianism is a sub-set of. I enjoy the consistency between one’s economic views and social views. The only other consistent group are the authoritarian socialists who at least admit yes they do want to control all aspects of your life.

I am however pragmatic. NZ is a country which for 100 years or more has seen a more zealous role for the state than I do personally. One is not going to end up with a libertarian utopia here. I will sometimes (rarely I hope) place the national interest over property rights. I am more concerned with moving in the right direction, than purity of though and action.

I’d love there to be a state somewhere which was founded on libertarian principles, to see how well it would do. Sadly the one time this was tried, Tonga invaded. I think such a state could be very sucessful, and be very generous to those in need.

No Right Turn makes the point that the state can and does have a role in protecting rights and liberties. He is right, and I am not in the “state is evil” camp. However a look through history will show us that governments have been responsible for a huge amount of oppression, and that restraints on the power and scope of the state are not a bad thing. Take the US Bill of Rights as a good example of that.