It's Hip! It's Cool! It's Libertarianism!

[pluckedflowers]

Calling yourself a libertarian today is a lot like wearing a mullet back in the nineteen eighties. It sends a clear signal: business up front, party in the back.

You know, those guys who call themselves “socially liberal but fiscally conservative”? Yeah. It’s for them.

Today, the ruling class knows that they’ve lost the culture wars. And unlike with our parents, they can’t count on weeping eagles and the stars ‘n bars to get us to fall in line. So libertarianism is their last ditch effort to ensure a succession to the throne.

Republicans freak you out but think the Democrats are wimps? You must be a libertarian! Want to sound smart and thoughtful in front of your boss without alienating your “socially liberal” buds? Just say the L-word, pass the coke and everyone’s happy!

Just look at how they play it up as the “cool” alternative to traditional conservatism. It’s pathetic. George Will wore the bowtie. But Reason magazine’s Nick Gillespie wears an ironic D.A.R.E. t-shirt. And don’t forget the rest of his all-black wardrobe, complete with leather jacket. What a totally with-it badass.

Read more... (http://exiledonline.com/its-hip-its-cool-its-libertarianism/)

[Tim Cornelis]

I don't think that the right-libertarian hype is a centrally orchestrated conspiracy as the article implies with: "So libertarianism is [the ruling class'] last ditch effort to ensure a succession to the throne."

Also, the Tea Party is more conservative than libertarian.

[cynicles]

I don't think that the right-libertarian hype is a centrally orchestrated conspiracy as the article implies with: "So libertarianism is [the ruling class'] last ditch effort to ensure a succession to the throne."

Also, the Tea Party is more conservative than libertarian.

You're right, it's a DEcentrally located conspiracy!

[Rafiq]

Libertarian's are more than conservative - They're reactionary Utopian romanticists. Bourgeois ideology in decay....

[RedHammer]

Libertarian's are more than conservative - They're reactionary Utopian romanticists. Bourgeois ideology in decay....
Exactly. They are the epitome of idealism. I continually point out that the reason no state has ever had "real" laissez-faire capitalism is because that's not the direction capital takes; they always inevitably seek greater and greater control of society through wealth. It's not about individuals. It's about classes and capital.

OF course, they'll respond, "that wasn't real capitalism"

[Os Cangaceiros]

Most of the stuff in that article is preaching to the choir, although I'm not sure how many libertarians there are in OI...

But stuff like "the welfare state is a check against the servility to the rich" is such BS. Much of what constitutes the modern "welfare state" was supported by factions of the ruling class. He goes on about how the state is intergral to capital's functioning and then implies that somehow "welfare state" reforms were foisted upon the wealthy by the toiling masses. In some areas a strong case could be made for this (particularly certain reforms in the late 19th century), but it's definitely not the case across-the-board.

[#FF0000]

Most of the stuff in that article is preaching to the choir, although I'm not sure how many libertarians there are in OI...

But stuff like "the welfare state is a check against the servility to the rich" is such BS. Much of what constitutes the modern "welfare state" was supported by factions of the ruling class. He goes on about how the state is intergral to capital's functioning and then implies that somehow "welfare state" reforms were foisted upon the wealthy by the toiling masses. In some areas a strong case could be made for this (particularly certain reforms in the late 19th century), but it's definitely not the case across-the-board.

Do you think that perhaps the presence of a hella effective and well-funded welfare state in most European countries could partly explain why workers in Europe seem to be, generally, more radical and more willing to protest than they are in America?

[Os Cangaceiros]

Yeah, that could definitely have something to do with it. Left-of-center political parties (ie proponents of "welfare state" policies) are a pretty effective safety valve to let off discontent without the general functioning of society being put in serious jeopardy, though, IMO. Like in Portugal, where 100,000's of people can pack Lisbon, march orderly, and then go home, and things continue like nothing ever happened. In other places like neighboring Spain things get a little more hectic, but I think the same basic principle applies.

That's my analysis, anyway.

Honestly, I have absolutely no idea why people in the USA haven't revolted more than they have, in the modern era. It boggles the mind simply because we've been given the royal shaft so much and no one seems to care. There was OWS, which was OK, but that was like the popular discontent equivalent of a pea being shot through a straw, when I would expect there to be artillery by this point.

I do know that merely having a very large working population that's not afraid to take action in pursuit of economic gains is no guarantee for a strong social safety net, though. The USA has had that...during WW2, a time that the country was supposedly united and industrial strife was "put on hold", there were 14,000 strikes. So...

[Buttress]

The "American Dream" is still going strong, much to the delight of the ruling class, whatever form it happens to take.

[l'Enfermé]

Do you think that perhaps the presence of a hella effective and well-funded welfare state in most European countries could partly explain why workers in Europe seem to be, generally, more radical and more willing to protest than they are in America?
Hella-effective and well-funded welfare state in European countries? The European welfare state is decaying and eroding right in front of our eyes comrade(ever heard of austerity?), by the end of this decade there will be nothing left of it.

[RedHammer]

Do you think that perhaps the presence of a hella effective and well-funded welfare state in most European countries could partly explain why workers in Europe seem to be, generally, more radical and more willing to protest than they are in America?

If anything, I'd expect them to be less radical, because concessions (which is what welfare is) are meant to pacify class unrest.

I think the reason European workers are at least somewhat more radical is culture and political climate. Americans are paranoid to the extreme about communism, the "Reds", etc. They cling to their idealist notions about the "American Dream", which is unfortunately a nightmare for all too many people.

[pluckedflowers]

If anything, I'd expect them to be less radical, because concessions (which is what welfare is) are meant to pacify class unrest.


Sure, but then isn't pretty much anything the working class achieves, short of revolution, a "concession"?


I think the reason European workers are at least somewhat more radical is culture and political climate. Americans are paranoid to the extreme about communism, the "Reds", etc. They cling to their idealist notions about the "American Dream", which is unfortunately a nightmare for all too many people.

I don't think attributing this to "culture" is very helpful here. Rather, we have to ask how it was that the political and economic conflicts of the past century, and they ways in which they were pacified, gave rise to this particular culture of anti-communism.

[JPSartre12]

I love how all of my libertarian friends preach about "liberty" day-in and day-out. But how does that "liberty" help the people in the Third World who are being beaten and raped and exploited every day? Sure, tell them all about constitutionalism. I'm sure it will make a world of difference there.

[Clarion]

Today, the ruling class knows that they’ve lost the culture wars.

When did redneck fundies become the ruling class?

The culture war has never been a matter of conservative capitalists versus permissive workers. There's been a long history of conservative attitudes among blue-collar workers and the poor. Meanwhile the big captalists have generally adopted socially liberal attitudes. Prudishness is bad for advertising, discrimination is bad for profit, a harmonious society creates a more stable business environment.

[Tim Finnegan]

Libertarian's are more than conservative - They're reactionary Utopian romanticists. Bourgeois ideology in decay....
If you really cared you would have worked in something about "petty-bourgeois vacillation". Stringing together meaningless 1920s buzzwords is truly a dying art-form...

[Ostrinski]

The notion that concessions pacify unrest has always been in bed with the rejection of the class struggle as a political struggle.

[Neoclassical Anarchist]

This is really nothing more than a comedic hit piece.

As a libertarian, I can tell you point blank that it isn't hip to be a libertarian at all. Conservatives hate you, liberals hate you, the swathes of apolitical leftists that are on college campuses hate you. In short, libertarianism is pretty much the antithesis of being hip or cool.

[cynicles]

What's an apolitical leftist? Isn't that kinda like saying a very hot iceberg?

Also lol, given the history of Libertarians and their ilk vying for the "persecuted" position in society to give some false air of radicalism you're actually more so proving the article right then wrong.

[Neoclassical Anarchist]

What's an apolitical leftist? Isn't that kinda like saying a very hot iceberg?

Somebody who is apolitical could be somebody who does not chose to participate in politics or is apathetic. This doesn't mean that they don't hold views.


Also lol, given the history of Libertarians and their ilk vying for the "persecuted" position in society to give some false air of radicalism you're actually more so proving the article right then wrong.

So to get this straight, if I agree with the article I am proving it right, and if I disagree with the article I am proving it right?

I couldn't give two shits about how radical or cool or uncool or unfavorable a position is. It is unfashionable to be a libertarian in my experience, yet I am a libertarian anyways because I think libertarianism is correct.

It is really insulting when somebody tries to tell you that your beliefs are founded on your desire to be hip. I have read books, I am an economics major and am an activist. It is insulting to me to suggest that I don't actually believe what I have devoted my life to.

[NGNM85]

What's an apolitical leftist? Isn't that kinda like saying a very hot iceberg?

Pretty much. 'Leftism' connoates a range of political ideation, therefore; one cannot be both; 'Leftist', and; 'apolitical', the terms are mutually exclusive.

[ВАЛТЕР]

I hate libertarians. I hate them with all my heart. I have as much contempt towards them as I do towards fascists. If you're a libertarian, we can't be friends. It's that bad.

[l'Enfermé]

I think by "apolitical leftists" he means culturally progressive people that don't care much for politics, i.e pro-gay rights, pro-feminist, pro-welfare, etc. You could probably call those occupy wall street people that.

[Ocean Seal]

People libertarianism was a 2-3 year phenomenon. Its pretty much over, its just spouting ideology. When was the last time that they organized something successful? The fascists, plenty of things, the conservatives, plenty, hell even the starry eyed liberals put out something useful every now and then. Hell, even we have some stories which make it to national prominence. But lolbertarians, please:laugh:.

[ComingUpForAir]

Let's hope the working class is starting to build strong communist and socialist parties and that OWS is really only the beginning... as Professor Richard Wolff has been saying in lectures across the country, Communism is no longer taboo ... questioning the system is no longer taboo after OWS. I was brought o Marxism basically because after keeping up with the OWS protests I just had to know more.. and eventually I ended up a Marxist! Ows is surely creating more avid marxists who simply must delve into Marxist as a recourse to no concrete reform.

I think Libertarianism is kind of a mindset on top of being a defense of Capitalism which is losing the culture wars -- it becomes a cultural current that people start to just accept.. ideas like "Well the CEO built the company and took the risks so he deserves what he gets" and "Anyone can succeed you just have to work your ass off" are obviously rubbish but I hear a lot of friends talk this way..Libertarians are a vicious lot.. I've spent a great deal of time arguing with them.. they are very attached to the ideology emotionally because the lot of them are entitled, feel threatened, and are really channeling their anger through their ideology.. escaping Libertarian ideology IMO requires coming to terms with emotional issues and/or black and white ideology, and how badly you're really getting shafted.

[Neoclassical Anarchist]

People libertarianism was a 2-3 year phenomenon. Its pretty much over, its just spouting ideology. When was the last time that they organized something successful? The fascists, plenty of things, the conservatives, plenty, hell even the starry eyed liberals put out something useful every now and then. Hell, even we have some stories which make it to national prominence. But lolbertarians, please:laugh:.

Actually, there are hundreds of instances of libertarians making national news. In New Hampshire there are even voluntarists and ancaps that practice civil disobedience. I don't follow the lefts achievements so much, but I don't know of any leftist organization that is actually practicing civil disobedience.

[Witan]

I don't think that the right-libertarian hype is a centrally orchestrated conspiracy as the article implies with: "So libertarianism is [the ruling class'] last ditch effort to ensure a succession to the throne."

Not a conspiracy in the cloak-and-dagger "DaVinci Code" sense, but it certainly is promoted by a few white guys with very large financial resources.

I would be very curious to see who funds the Ludwig von Mises Institute....:p

[Neoclassical Anarchist]

Not a conspiracy in the cloak-and-dagger "DaVinci Code" sense, but it certainly is promoted by a few white guys with very large financial resources.

I would be very curious to see who funds the Ludwig von Mises Institute....:p

I am not an Austrian, but I keep track of them. There is a Mises Institute in Brazil that is funded by people of color.

[R_P_A_S]

thank you!