Smearing Libertarianism

From The American Conservative:

Free spirits, the ambitious, ex-socialists, drug users, and sexual eccentrics often find an attractive political philosophy in libertarianism, the idea that individual freedom should be the sole rule of ethics and government. Libertarianism offers its believers a clear conscience to do things society presently restrains, like make more money, have more sex, or take more drugs.


Yawn. It's the same tired old smear of libertarianism that I've read dozens of times. As always, critics of libertarianism deliberately confuse libertarianism with libertinism. The latter is essentially a moral philosophy of hedonism -- if it feels good, do it. The former is exclusively a political philosophy which says that government shall not restrict the activites of consenting adults to do as they please with their own bodies and/or property.

It is quite possible to be politically libertarian and morally liberal or morally conservative. It's not an intellectual reach to be politically libertarian and a Christian, as I am. Libertarianism doesn't take a moral stance -- it simply determines what government may or may not do.

There are real, fair criticisms of libertarianism, particularly in its excesses. But Locke doesn't bother to focus on them. Pathetic.

Hat tip: Professor Bainbridge.