Libertarian Twitter Master. Blogger and Vlogger! Veteran, Voluntaryist, Vegan. GoA Member and Non-Profit Director.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Libertarian Elitism: A Self Destructing Statement

Is "Minarchist" a dirty word? For many hardcore Libertarians/Anarchists it is!

If you identify yourself as wanting to re-upload the Republic, "That government is best which governs least" or a Constitutionalists you are labeled a Minarchist. While I think that most small government advocates embrace this classification, especially when they are immersed in what Libertarianism really means. But I also think there is a growing trend of Libertarian Elitism as the movement gains popularity.


This Elitism is clearly present in the recent criticisms of public figures that identify themselves as Libertarian, but are rejected by many hardcore Libertarians. Figures such as Julie "Token Libertarian Girl" Borowski and Glenn Beck have come under harsh attacks for not being Libertarian enough. While having evolved to full Voluntaryist in the past few months, I obviously disagree with some of their philosophical ideas. On the other hand, having just been in their shoes a few months ago, I can firmly say on their behalf: "Give me a FUCKING break!"

If you are a Libertarian and are acting in an Elitist fashion, you are going against some of the principles you criticize these individuals for not
fully embracing. The Libertarian Movement should be about acceptance and unity under Liberty and Freedom, not rejection and snobbishness. Someone you would label and ostracize as a Minarchist could very well be ignorant to "how deep the rabbit hole goes". Such as how I was a few short months ago.



Even if someone knows full well all the aspects of Libertarian Anarchy and still chooses to identify themselves as Minarchists doesn't mean we tell them to take a hike! It is fine to disagree with them about the degree to which government should be reduced, up to and including completely eliminated. It is not ok to make them feel unwanted in a movement they so desperately want to be a part of.

If you are an Anarchist, consider this. Will it be easier to reach a Stateless Society by:

1. Partnering with Minarchists and reducing the government to a near non-existent point and then go from there? 


or 

2. Rejecting everyone who does not think exactly the way we do and keep preaching to a deaf society that feeds on big government forever and ever?

To be clear, I am NOT advocating for the Libertarian Movement to be hijacked and corrupted like the Tea Party Movement was. I am also NOT advocating for either Minarchists or Anarchists to give up their stance. What I am advocating for is Minarchists and Anarchists have so much in common that it is ridiculous, illogical, irresponsible and counterproductive for us to be dividing and fighting already.




Let's pull back the American Empire, together.We will NEVER change anything if we are fighting with each other.


-The Slavic Libertarian
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Sunday, February 10, 2013

Libertarian? Guess what... you are an Anarchist!

Yes, that's right! If you consider yourself a Libertarian, Tea Party member, or just advocate for smaller government, YOU ARE AN ANARCHIST! I know, scary right?! And you thought you had no excitement in your life...


When you say the word "Anarchy", Mainstream Media culture says you should think of Molotov Cocktail hurling rioters, teen angst hoodlums and ruthlessly destructive vandals overturning cars and burning down businesses. This is an obvious misrepresentation and oversimplification of the term and couldn't be further from the truth. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be call you an Anarchist right now! 

Done under the correct conditions of morality, non-aggression, truly free markets and voluntary exchange, anarchy DOES NOT mean mass hysteria, rampant unchecked criminality and constant disorder.

 

Five years ago, I considered myself a devoted apathetic, politically speaking. It took me that long to reach the point where a mere few months ago I considered myself a "Constitutionalists, Ron Paul and Founding Fathers Fan". Nothing wrong with considering yourself those things, but the natural evolution of your awakening is to accept your Anarchism, but allow me to explain! 

In reference to how you feel about government power, size and scope, it boils down to two positions: Anarchism and Statism.

The definition of Anarchism "is a political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, or harmful." Even if you just want the government to shrink in size and do not advocate for it's full abolition, you are still advocating an Anarchist position in contrast to the current state of affairs. Thus you are an Anarchist (at least to a degree or in regards to specific aspects of government and society).

On the other hand, Statism "is the belief that a government should control either economic or social policy, or both, to some degree." Statists always turn to a government solution to all problems in all aspects of life.

Do you think Obamacare is "undesirable"? Do you think that endless budget deficits and debt is "unnecessary"? Do you think that our foreign policy is "harmful"? If you answered yes, then you are an Anarchist. If you answered no and believe the opposite, you are a Statist. It's just that simple.


Now, I know this may be sort of shocking to you(some of you reading this are saying "Duh, already there, bro") but hear me out. Anarchism is the next logical step in your journey into the world of Libertarianism. This is the "tumbling down the rabbit hole" scenario that you find many Libertarians talking about. Once you discover the true philosophical meaning of being a Libertarian and, by association, being an anarchist, you enter the next phase of  "becoming awake".

There are TONS of different names, definitions and variants once you have reached the point of accepting your anarchism, such as Anarcho-capitalism, Anarcho-socialism, Anarcho-communism, minarchism, Rothbardarians, ect. But what I advocate for is what's called Voluntaryism.

"Volutaryism is generally considered to be the philosophy which holds that all forms of human association should be voluntary." It hinges on the cornerstones of the Non-Aggression Principle, Self Ownership Principle and Voluntary Free Association.

So, now you ask "The Slavic Libertarian, I accept my anarchism(to whatever degree it is) and I may even believe that a peaceful transition to NO state whatsoever is what is needed, but WHO WILL BUILD THE ROADS?!" The answer is the principles of Voluntaryism practically applied to what is commonly referred to as "The Stateless Society".


The Founding Fathers were literal geniuses that considered every aspect and used all means they could postulate to try and keep the new U.S. government tied down, separated in power and tyranny-proof. Considering how the government has been perverted to become everything the Founding Fathers despised and tried to avoid, you have two possible causes leading to one conclusion: Either The Constitution failed us or we failed The Constitution. If you accept that, then you must accept that humans can not be trusted with establishing a State. The next logical and evolutionary step is to establish a Voluntary Stateless Society.

In a handful of paragraphs, I have given you the blueprint to the next phase of your awakening. Now it is up to you to go and do the research. Look into all the terms I have mention above. Also, seek out the works of Rothbard, look up Stefan Molyneux(Freedomain Radio) on YouTube (check out his book series: "Everyday Anarchy and Practical Anarchy") and seek out the knowledge that all of us inherently crave.

Be sure to tuck and roll on the tumble down :)

-The Slavic Libertarian
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