One of the ways many libertarians harm their own movement is by purporting to have nostalgia for some earlier time period in history, particularly the United States during the late 1800s. Some libertarians make the mistake of presenting this era as a near-perfect era for individual liberty. This is a gravely mistaken approach, because not only does it have negative appeal to most outsiders, but it is historically inaccurate in some ways. It is true that many aspects of society were freer back then, particularly many elements of economic exchange, the absence of heavy income taxation to fund a social welfare state, lack of drug or prostitution laws, more decentralization of government, etc. However, many elements of society were less free, including more foreign trade protectionism, limitations on branch banking, corrupt local government machines, and not to forget the obvious institutionalized racial discrimination. There have been many elements of libertarianism in many places--essentially anywhere that government is not involved--but there has never been a perfect libertarian utopia. Besides, arguing to go back to the past is a doomed rhetorical message anyway. We need to make a logical case for a more libertarian future.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:08:18 +0000
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