The Failure of Libertarianism

In 1969 a new political movement was launched in the United States: libertarianism. It achieved some public exposure because of its apparent contradictions. It was right-wing, yet antiwar at the same time; pro-capitalism, yet against subsidizing big business; middle class in its ethics and values, yet supportive of civil liberties —particularly First Amendment guarantees. In short, it struck many as an oddball blend of conservatism and liberalism, advocating free market economics and decriminalization of drugs, pornography, abortion, and victimless crimes in general. It was as though Ayn Rand and Abbie Hoffman had suddenly met and, to everyone’s astonishment, discovered that they were star-crossed lovers destined to wander through life together in perfect harmony.

Today, eight years after its inception, libertarianism has failed to emerge as a major independent political movement in the United States. It is still perceived as an eccentric, cranky, sometimes amusing adjunct of American conservatism. It remains an intellectual curiosity—“political poetry” as William Buckley labeled it not too long ago —not regarded as a serious alternative to standard liberalism and conservatism by anyone except its most ardent advocates.

JT

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Jerome Tuccille

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William F. Buckley Jr.

Soviet Union

In 1969 a new political movement was launched in the United States: libertarianism. It achieved some public exposure because of its apparent contradictions. It was right-wing, yet antiwar at the same time; pro-capitalism, yet against subsidizing big business; middle class in its ethics and values, yet supportive of civil liberties —particularly First Amendment guarantees. In short, it struck many as an oddball blend of conservatism and liberalism, advocating free market economics and decriminalization of drugs, pornography, abortion, and victimless crimes in general. It was as though Ayn Rand and Abbie Hoffman had suddenly met and, to everyone’s astonishment, discovered that they were star-crossed lovers destined to wander through life together in perfect harmony.

Today, eight years after its inception, libertarianism has failed to emerge as a major independent political movement in the United States. It is still perceived as an eccentric, cranky, sometimes amusing adjunct of American conservatism. It remains an intellectual curiosity—“political poetry” as William Buckley labeled it not too long ago —not regarded as a serious alternative to standard liberalism and conservatism by anyone except its most ardent advocates.