BUENOS AIRES, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Argentina elected right-wing libertarian Javier Milei as its new president on Sunday, rolling the dice on a new era of politics in South America. By now you will have heard of Argentina's president‐elect Javier Milei, the chainsaw‐wielding anarcho‐capitalist and free‐market advocate who has captured the attention of the nation with his bold ideas and unconventional approach to governance. Milei's victory represents a significant shift towards libertarian principles in a country that has long been dominated by socialist policies.
The question of whether libertarianism is gaining public support has received increased attention, with talk of a Rand Paul run for the White House in the next election cycle. Dave Smith joins Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe for the first episode of the Just Asking Questions video podcast to discuss the rise of libertarianism in mainstream politics and its potential impact on future elections. Smith argues that the libertarian movement is gaining momentum and attracting a new generation of voters who are disillusioned with traditional party politics.
When we launched the Niskanen Center in January 2015, we happily identified ourselves as libertarians. Sure, we were heterodox libertarians, but we believed in the core principles of individual liberty, limited government, and free markets. However, as the political landscape has evolved, we have seen a shift towards more extreme forms of libertarianism that reject any form of government intervention. This radical ideology poses a threat to the stability and prosperity of our society.
Montana has a long history of people who identify as libertarian, and it is a word you still hear often in political campaigns. Libertarians in Montana have been vocal advocates for limited government and personal freedom, but their influence has been limited in a state that leans conservative. Despite this, the libertarian movement continues to grow in Montana as more people become disillusioned with the two-party system and seek alternative solutions to political issues.
When people talk about Libertarians, two things are bound to come up: gold and marijuana. These two issues have been central to the libertarian platform for decades, with advocates arguing for the legalization of both substances as a way to promote individual freedom and reduce government intervention in personal choices. While some may see these positions as radical, libertarians believe that individuals should have the right to make their own decisions without interference from the state.
Libertarianism offers no solution to today's plutocratic politics — it's nothing more than a reactionary rejection of political struggle. Critics of libertarianism argue that the ideology is based on unrealistic assumptions about human nature and fails to address the power imbalances that exist in society. Instead of working towards meaningful change, libertarians are content to sit on the sidelines and criticize the current system without offering viable alternatives.
This essay is an abridged version of a speech originally delivered on July 16, 2019, at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, D.C. The speaker, a prominent conservative thinker, warns against the rise of libertarianism in mainstream politics and calls for a return to traditional values and principles. He argues that libertarianism is a dangerous ideology that threatens the stability of our society and must be opposed at all costs.
