Tag: Libertarianism

1273: Walter Block – Libertarianism is Neither Left nor Right

Libertarianism is neither of the left nor of the right. It is unique. It is sui generis. It is apart from left and right. The left-right political spectrum simply has no room for libertarianism. Think of an equilateral triangle, with libertarianism at one corner, the left at a second corner and the right at the third corner. We are equally distant from both of those misbegotten political economic philosophies. No, better yet, think in terms of an isosceles triangle, with us at the top and the two of them at the bottom, indicating they have more in common with each other than with us. —Walter Block

Libertarianism is neither of the left nor of the right. It is unique. It is sui generis. It is apart from left and right. The left-right political spectrum simply has no room for libertarianism. Think of an equilateral triangle, with libertarianism at one corner, the left at a second corner and the right at the third corner. We are equally distant from both of those misbegotten political economic philosophies. No, better yet, think in terms of an isosceles triangle, with us at the top and the two of them at the bottom, indicating they have more in common with each other than with us. —Walter Block

1272: David Boaz – Libertarianism and Socialism

The difference between libertarianism and socialism is that libertarians will tolerate the existence of a socialist community, but socialists can’t tolerate a libertarian community. —David Boaz

The difference between libertarianism and socialism is that libertarians will tolerate the existence of a socialist community, but socialists can’t tolerate a libertarian community. —David Boaz

1268: Scott Horton – The Horror Version of Libertarianism

Liberalism is the horror movie version of libertarianism. —Scott Horton

Liberalism is the horror movie version of libertarianism. —Scott Horton

1265: John Stossel – People Are Not Comfortable with Freedom

People are not comfortable with freedom. They're scared, they're worried that if people can do whatever they want, the rich will abuse the poor, the strong will abuse the weak. It's just easier to believe that if you elect wise people who want to help, that it will be better. But it doesn’t help.
Once I learned [libertarianism] it was just clear to me, but most people will never either spend the time to learn it or they can't learn it. —John Stossel

People are not comfortable with freedom. They’re scared, they’re worried that if people can do whatever they want, the rich will abuse the poor, the strong will abuse the weak. It’s just easier to believe that if you elect wise people who want to help, that it will be better. But it doesn’t help.
Once I learned [libertarianism] it was just clear to me, but most people will never either spend the time to learn it or they can’t learn it. —John Stossel

1262: Murray Rothbard – The Right-Wing Honeyed Words

I grew up a right-winger, and became more intensely a libertarian rightist as I grew older. How come I am an exile from the Right-wing, while the conservative movement is being run by a gaggle of ex-Communists and monarchists? What kind of a conservative movement is this? This kind: one that you have no business being in. I got out of the Right-wing not because I ceased believing in liberty, but because being a libertarian above all, I came to see that the Right-wing specialized in cloaking its authoritarian and neo-fascist policies in the honeyed words of libertarian rhetoric. —Murray Rothbard

I grew up a right-winger… I got out of the Right-wing not because I ceased believing in liberty, but because being a libertarian above all, I came to see that the Right-wing specialized in cloaking its authoritarian and neo-fascist policies in the honeyed words of libertarian rhetoric. —Murray Rothbard

1258: Murray Rothbard – The Abolitionist is a Button Pusher

The abolitionist is a "button pusher" who would blister his thumb pushing a button that would abolish the State immediately if such a button existed. But the abolitionist also knows that alas, such a button does not exist and that he will take a bit of the loaf if necessary — while always preferring the whole loaf if he can achieve it. —Murray Rothbard

The abolitionist is a “button pusher” who would blister his thumb pushing a button that would abolish the State immediately if such a button existed. But the abolitionist also knows that alas, such a button does not exist and that he will take a bit of the loaf if necessary — while always preferring the whole loaf if he can achieve it. —Murray Rothbard