Libertarianism: A Fading Ideology?
Libertarianism, a political ideology that advocates for minimal government intervention and maximum individual freedom, seems to be losing its grip in today's society. This is a particularly poignant observation for me, as I have long identified as a libertarian. Edward Snowden, the renowned whistleblower, once expressed a longing for a political movement that would champion the cause of liberty and resist the encroachment of the 'prison-planet' state. It seemed that libertarianism was the answer to this call, but recent events have cast doubt on this assumption.
The Rise and Fall of Libertarianism
Libertarianism was a movement that was painstakingly built over decades of intellectual work, funding, conferences, books, and the establishment of numerous non-profit organizations around the world. The ideology was a rebranding of the old liberalism, with a renewed focus on individual liberty. However, the last four years have been a litmus test for libertarianism, and it appears to have failed.
The state has become increasingly intrusive, with regulations and restrictions affecting every aspect of life. Small businesses have been forced to close, schools and churches shut down, and even our homes have been subjected to visitor limits. Liberty, as we know it, has been under assault. Libertarianism, with its long history of opposing government overreach and advocating for the free choices of individuals, should have been at the forefront of resistance. However, it appears that libertarianism has been largely sidelined, and its voice is barely heard.
The Libertarian Party: A Reflection of the Ideology's Decline
The current state of the Libertarian Party is a telling indicator of the decline of libertarianism. Chase Oliver, a relatively unknown figure, was nominated as the party's presidential candidate for 2024. His track record during the pandemic, which included advocating for mask-wearing, supporting vaccine mandates, and promoting CDC guidelines, was hardly in line with the libertarian ethos of individual freedom and minimal government intervention.
This shift in the party's stance is not an isolated incident. The entire media, academic, and political establishment seems to have embraced a similar approach. The Libertarian Party's previous national candidate, during the height of the lockdown crisis, had nothing substantial to say, leading to internal upheaval within the party. A new faction vowed to defend actual liberty, but the party's grassroots delegates seemed to prefer the old model.
Trade, Immigration, and the Corporate Elite: Challenges to Libertarian Orthodoxy
Several pillars of libertarian orthodoxy have come under strain, leaving adherents grappling with the new realities. Free trade, free immigration and open borders, and an uncritical pro-business stance have all been challenged.
Trade has been central to the rise of liberalism since the late Middle Ages. The doctrine of free trade posited that everyone benefits from the freest trade possible, and that fears of losses of currency and industry are wildly overblown. However, the loss of the gold standard and the upheaval of the US manufacturing base have raised questions about the viability of free trade.
On immigration, the libertarian doctrine of free immigration has been complicated by the reality of millions of people being brought in under migrant programs, funded and supported by tax dollars. This has led to a backlash, with people in a democratic system unwilling to have their tax dollars used and their voting rights diluted by large numbers of people who have no historic investment in maintaining their traditions of freedom and the rule of law.
Furthermore, the rise of Trump, with its focus on protectionism and immigration restrictions, has posed a significant challenge to the libertarian spirit. The dogma of libertarianism seemed to fit the facts ever less, while the temptation toward protectionism and border restriction was just too powerful.
The Statism of the Corporate Elite
The Trump movement also led to a significant shift in the corporate and business world. Major companies began to align with the other side, and even became allies of the state. The largest companies, including Google, Meta (Facebook), Twitter, and pharmaceutical giants, became more loyal to states than to their customers, perhaps because states had become their main customers.
This runs counter to the simple paradigm of libertarianism, which had long pitted power against the
