"rEVILution" Is there a link between Fascism and Libertarianism?

[Brandon's Impotent Rage]

(Yes, I know the name is stupid. Just bare with me)

So recently I came across these two videos on youtube by Reich-Wing Watch, both of which put forth the idea that there are both ideological and thematic similarities and threads between 20th century Fascism and modern day right-Libertarianism.

+ YouTube Video

+ YouTube Video

Themes explored include: the monied influences on Fascist movements, the Business Plot, the attempt by Fascist movements to use the imagery and language of socialism and freedom to attract working class recruits, NWO/Zionist elite conspiracy theories, Gold Buggery, and the growth of right-wing terrorism in the U.S.

Obviously, as with all Youtube videos one must take them with a grain of salt. I'm not entirely convinced that there are ideological similarities between Fascism and Libertarianism, however the corporate/bourgeois influence and manipulation on both is undeniable.

Thoughts? Arguments?

[Os Cangaceiros]

There are some important differences, I think...there is more of an emphasis on the mass movement in classic fascism, while there isn't really in libertarianism (if anything libertarianism distrusts political mass movements). There's also the veneration of a singular leader, which can occur incidentally with libertarians (like Ayn Rand's group) but isn't nearly as frequent or pitched as it is in fascist movements. Libertarianism does not have the ultranationalist traditions of fascism. blah blah blah

Libertarianism and fascism could be said to be similar in one sense, though, in that they are both arguably manifestations of "decadent capitalism". One could probably argue that the same kind of people are attracted to both libertarianism and fascism, ie people with a somewhat favorable economic status who none-the-less find that status to be imperiled, and look towards an ideology to combat that trend.

[Rafiq]

Fascism and libertarianism are, with regard to the power they hold, of the same breed. Their difference is only a matter of content, but not form. Hence, Marine Le Pen the protectionist being fond of the American tea party, and Ron Paul. Also, it is important to recognize that by form, what is meant isn't the political structure so to speak, but its origins, power, and conditions of popularity.

[MarxSchmarx]

Right Libertarianism worships the all-knowing market as the stern deity that smites the impudent. A fascist worships the leader/state as the all-knowing stern deity who smites the meek. And of course a theocrat worships god to do all this. Kettle, meet pot.

[Mr. Piccolo]

Right-libertarians and affluent fascists are similar in their intense disdain for the masses and in their elitism, as well as having an affinity for racism and sexism. Poorer fascists seem to be more critical of what they perceive as the excesses of capitalism (or the "financial elite" or whatever term they use for rich people they don't like) and are more likely to favor some type of strong interventionist state.

[John Nada]

The "libertarians'" comments on the video back up it's point.

Also General Butler seems like he was becoming an anti-Mussolini, going from right to left due to imperialism. If you just looked at his resume he was imperialism personified, with some populist appeal too. Fortunately he was coming over to the "red side" and exposed the Business Plot for a fascist coup. We need more defectors, those "I was a commie once, so I know" rightist are too depressing and seemingly more common.

I argue that right-"libertarianism" could be, or could become, an American variant of fascism. It's a petty-bourgeois movement with backing from the big bourgeoisie. It's very anti-communist, anti-worker and (to varying degrees of overtness)antisemitic, xenophobic and racist.

The right-"libertarians" can form a mass movement with a leader. Ron Paul's "rEVOLution"(meant to be "LOVE" backwards, though sounds like "EVIL") has a decent creepy following, that seemed much larger due to the Paulbots annoying the fuck out of internet forums. The Tea Party movement, which built off the Paulite and patriot movements, showed it can be a mass movement.

At first glance, it appears to not be very nationalist. However, fascism, being a nationalist ideology, takes on the form of it's nation. It was a country built during the birth of liberalism with a "rugged individualist" ideal. The "libertarians" appeal to this with their constitutional originalism and laissez-faire politics. Depending on the context, this great past ended either after the American Civil War or the founding of the Federal Reserve. Both of which takes on racist and anti-Semitic undertones respectively.

There's populous appeal to the petty-bourgeoisie on being against "crony capitalists". They claim the nation has lost it's way and needs to be saved from "socialism". The way to do this is by strong adherence to a "free"-market policy and an extremely strict constructionist interpretation of the US Constitution.

On the surface, this is just classical liberalism. It's claimed that private enterprise and individual state rights will free the individual. When pressed about how that gutting progressive regulations and placing control of everything on whoever has the money, they claim the market will take care of it. On segregation, no reason why that would happen, but if it does than the market has a reason that they'll respect. On homophobia, you can marry whoever you want, just the property owner's "religious rights" will be upheld. Women's right's? They think they're weaker and chose low-paying jobs so naturally they can't get paid as much. No welfare, charities should help those worthy, the lazy must learn to work. For the workers and unions, strangely they suddenly oppose a contract between a group of individuals, find a new job. Monopolies and cartels can only arise in "crony capitalism" in their view.

They want a society with no government interference in business, except to uphold property(or a private militia to do this). There is no democracy at all for non-property owners, and barely any for the vast majority of people. On a businesses property they can do whatever they want. There is nothing stopping them from forming cartels and monopolies. Any racial oppression is allowed, so long as it's private business. There's a social Darwinist and Malthusian view on people. If it's not fascist, it still sounds like a nightmare that will turn into fascism or warlordism.

[Tim Cornelis]

I can't believe it took six posts for someone to mention: petty bourgeois.

But no, libertarianism is not American fascism.

[RedWorker]

I've watched the video on Ron Paul, exposing his links with extremist hate groups. It's pretty good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX9EwbdCza0

There is another one on Paul, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixia1EOeQCE