Perhaps no issue is more contentious for libertarians than the seemingly eternal conflict between pragmatism and principle. Indeed, on blogs and message boards across the internet, bitter flame wars frequently break out between the dogmatic defenders of untainted libertarianism and those who seek practical means of advancing the cause of liberty.
Historically, the Libertarian Party has been dominated by members of the former group. The strong and unyielding ideology of these individuals may have driven David Koch, Ed Crane and “pragmatist” factions out of the LP. Due to the inflexible views and demands of the libertarian purists in charge of the party, Koch and Crane focused their efforts on the Cato Institute rather than the LP. Around 2004, “pragmatist” groups managed to gain power and alter the party’s platform in order to give the LP more mainstream appeal. David Nolan, founder of the LP, views such changes as “watering down” the platform and abandoning the principled foundation of the party.
In contrast to Nolan, however, many libertarians are more than willing to change the LP’s platform in order to win elections – some are even willing to leave the party altogether if it leads to libertarian victories at the ballot box.
Peter Schiff, the former economic adviser for Ron Paul’s 2008 presidential campaign, could be considered one of the “pragmatic” libertarians. Unlike those within the Libertarian Party, he seeks to further libertarianism outside the LP.
Recently, Schiff addressed the Libertarian Party of Connecticut and essentially argued for the abandonment of the LP. According to the speech, he envisions a libertarian takeover of the Republican Party at a time when the GOP is suffering from electoral losses and an identity crisis.
Weakened by the defeats of the 2006 and 2008 elections, the GOP is ripe for infiltration by libertarian-minded politicians and activists.
To determine whether we should agree with Schiff’s argument, we must consider two questions:
1.) Should we abandon the Libertarian Party?
In my view, the Libertarian Party has failed to adequately demonstrate its ability to get libertarians elected to office. In its 38 year history, there has not been a single Libertarian Senator, Libertarian Representative, or Libertarian Governor. In fact, only 12 Libertarians have ever been elected to state legislatures. For me, this is simply not acceptable progress, and I believe the party has had ample time to at least get 1 representative elected.
Furthermore, we have seen absolutely no success in the Presidential elections. The LP is consistently unable to secure ballot access in all 50 states which greatly disadvantages an already disadvantaged party. Some will respond to this argument by pointing out that the system is biased against third parties, and I completely agree. This is why we must gain power through the GOP so that we may change the rules.
Others may point out that the LP has had hundreds of its candidates elected to local offices. While I recognize the importance of controlling policies that directly affect one’s own community, I believe it is far more important to restrain the federal government Washington. If we can limit the federal government’s power, we can empower the people through their state and local governments. As a result, individuals can more effectively influence the policies which affect their lives and their communities.
As a side note, I simply do not believe that some LP members want the party to ever be relevant in politics. These people criticize and shun those who attempt to restore liberty through political action. They are keyboard warriors who would rather discuss whether someone can voluntarily sell themselves into slavery or whether we should burn 5 dollar bills or 10 dollar bills in front of starving children. These radicals seem content to have libertarian ideas fade away and die quietly in the corners of the internet – only to be discussed by this great, intellectual “elite”. We, on the other hand, desperately want to see libertarian views applied in our local councils and federal legislature because we want to preserve liberty for ourselves and our children.
2.) Are libertarians capable of reviving the libertarian remnant within the Grand Ole Party?
Many of you no doubt view the GOP as a lost cause. For the past 14 years, I would have agreed with this assessment. After all, the participants of the 1994 Republican Revolution did not live up to their promises. Then, during the Bush years, we saw the rise of the neo-conservative faction and the resulting wars and uncontrollable spending. However, while I was disappointed with these developments, I see the potential to rebuild the GOP now that it has fallen apart. Now, we have an opportunity to reform this shattered and disheartened party as we see fit.
I sincerely believe that libertarians can infiltrate the Republican Party, take over important leadership positions, and revive its small government roots. Why do I believe this? Because it has already happened!
Many of you out there were alive to see Barry Goldwater, son of liberty, nominated for the Republican Presidential ticket in 1964. We were 1 person away from getting a defender of freedom in the Oval Office.
Currently, we have Dr. Ron Paul, a former Libertarian Presidential candidate, serving his 11th term in the House of Representatives. We likewise have many rising stars within the GOP such as Representative Jeff Flake and Governor Mark Sanford (perhaps future President Sanford). Now, we must “grow” the liberty movement by putting some other competent and respectable libertarian-republicans in positions of power.
The Political Lore’s Shaun Booth similarly argues that we must expand Ron Paul’s family tree by getting more libertarian-republicans in office. We need to send candidates like North Carolina’s B.J. Lawson and Peter Schiff to Washington.
In my view, the only way to accomplish dramatic change (I’ve really grown to dislike this word over the past 2 years!) in Washington is by an uprising within the GOP. I truly believe that many of the rank-and-file Republicans will be receptive to our message. After all, Ron Paul’s libertarian rhetoric is everywhere on conservative talk radio, Fox News, and Tea Parties across the nation.
We need only to take advantage of these conditions in 2010 to help ensure that liberty will have a voice. If we have enough voices defending liberty, they may even overcome the deafening sound of the talking heads and growing Leviathan state. We must turn to the GOP to do this; to do it Ron Paul style.
Freedom will not be had via the political process. The whole concept is an oxymoron.