Liberty Maven

In the latest Cato Policy Report, Brink Lindsay makes a good case for reasons why Libertarianism has thrived in the post-war era, at least in mindset, if not in true activism. With the grassroots support of a Libertarian leaning Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul this article is especially compelling.

He makes a compelling argument with the following quote:

“American capitalism is derided for its superficial banality, yet it has unleashed profound, convulsive social change. Condemned as mindless materialism, it has burst loose a flood tide of spiritual yearning. The civil rights movement and the sexual revolution, environmentalism and feminism, the fitness and health care boom and the opening of the gay closet, the withering of censorship and the rise of a “creative class” of “knowledge workers”—all are the progeny of widespread prosperity.”

And later on in the article:

“… centrist public opinion comports reasonably well with the reflexive libertarianism often described as “fiscally conservative, socially liberal.” And contrary to all the recent talk about a highly polarized electorate divided into right-wing “red” states and left-wing “blue” states, the fact is that a purplish centrism is culturally and politically dominant in America today.”

The article also explores the reasons why Libertarian beliefs are still not in the mainstream political arena. It is a well written, and very interesting read for anyone interested in such subjects.

“How Prosperity Made Us More Libertarian” by Brink Lindsay