The Insidious Libertarian-to-Alt-Right Pipeline – Daily Beast
Libertarianism has an alt-right problem. Many prominent leaders of the alt-right have, at some point, identified as libertarian. I am curious as to why?
Milo Yiannopoulos has billed himself (and has been billed by others) as libertarian. About a year ago, he came clean about that. According to Business Insider, the alt-right troll Tim Gionet (aka Baked Alaska) formerly identified as a carefree, easygoing libertarian who supported Kentucky Sen. Rand Pauls bid for the White House, firmly opposed the war on drugs, and championed the cause of Black Lives Matter
Gavin McInnes bills himself as a libertarian, but he founded the Proud Boysa mens rights group that is considered part of the alt-right. Augustus Invictus, a Florida attorney who literally drank goats blood as part of an animal sacrifice, ran for senate in the 2016 Libertarian Party primary and spoke at Liberty Fest. Recently popular among college libertarians, Stefan Molyneux evolved into a pro-Trump alt-righter. And Richard Spencer was thrown out of the International Students for Liberty conference this year after crashing the event.
It is also true that many of todays alt-righters are disaffected conservatives. However, there are many more conservatives in this country than there are libertarians, which suggests a disproportionate number of todays prominent alt-righters began as libertarians.
Its ironic that some of these people start off calling themselves libertarian, but they are the antithesis of everything that the libertarian project stands forwhich is cosmopolitanism versus parochialism, individualism vs. group identity, and libertarianism or autonomy versus authoritarianism, Nick Gillespie, editor in chief of Reason.com tells me.
Granted, there are a few similarities between the two groups. For example, paleoconservatives (think populist nationalists like Pat Buchanan) and libertarians both tend to be anti-interventionist in foreign policy. But there are also multiple contradictions Jeffrey A. Tucker, content director for the libertarian Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), lists five differences between the alt-right and libertarians). And yet, it seems observably true that libertarianism is disproportionately a gateway drug to the alt-right. Again, the question is why?
Some would explain this away as normal. People change ideologies all the time, David Boaz, executive vice president of the Cato Institute, told me in an interview. Some libertarians become conservatives, some become welfarist liberals, a few drift into creepy extremes. Jason Kessler apparently was in Occupy Wall Street before he became an alt-right leader. The original neocons were leftists first. Hillary was a Goldwater Girl.
Speaking of Barry Goldwater, its also true that a principled libertarian like him might end up on the wrong side of civil rights issues simply because he fears the expansion of central government and prioritizes the freedom of business owners over the right of individuals to be served at a lunch counter. This conundrum has proven to be a vexing enough problem for libertarians to overcome. However, it does not fully explain the link between libertarianism and todays alt-right.
Like any emerging ideology, the alt-right didnt just materialize out of nowhere. There were forerunners crying in the wilderness who were generally viewed as harmless kooks. The paleo-libertarian seed that Ron Paul, Murray Rothbard, and Lew Rockwell planted in the 1990s has come to bear some really ugly fruit in the last couple of years as elements of the alt-right have made appearances in various libertarian organizations and venues, writes Steve Horwitz, an economist who writes at Bleeding Heart Libertarians.
The Ron Paul Revolution might not have amounted to much electorally, but it would be wrong to underestimate the impact he has had on libertarianism and the alt-right. In a way, Ron Paul is the guy who lit the fuse, Nick Gillespie says. And he embodies some of those contradictions [between libertarianism and the alt-right]. Gillespie tells me that Richard Spencer came up to him at the Republican National Convention in 2016 and said that he was activated into politics because of Paul. Gillespie sees Pauls legacy as very mixed, as someone who was simultaneously positing this very libertarian worldview, but then hes also speaking to peoples fears and anxieties. If one were looking for the missing link to explain this phenomenon, Ron Paul (and his paleolibertarian allies) would be a good place to start.
Still, my guess is that this has as much to do with attitude as it has to do with ideology. One explanation for why young libertarians metastasize into alt-righters is self-selection bias. Some of the people drawn to libertarianism are predisposed to be seduced into the alt-right. In this regard, they are merely passing through a libertarian phase. Libertarianism is an unpopular view. And it takes particular personality typesto be open to taking unpopular views, explains Kevin Vallier, an associate professor of philosophy at Bowling Green State University, who writes for the blog Bleeding Heart Libertarians. Someof these personality types are people who are open to new experience, love the world of ideas and have a disposition for independent thought. However, some of these personality types simplyenjoy holding outrageous and provocative views, who like to argue and fight with others, who like insult and shock. Vallier continued, The worst flaw in the contrarian trap is that it makes libertarians open to views thatdeserveto be unpopular and despised, including the thinly-veiled racism of the sort Hans Hermann Hoppe trades in from time to time. (Note: Some see Hoppes support of what he calls a pro-European immigration bias as an example of thinly-veiled racism.)
As a political philosophy, libertarianism is somewhat unique in its unflinching support of free speech. In some cases, this free speech is unsavory. If youre anti-political correctness, libertarianism might seem like a good place to landeven if you dont buy into the whole libertarian philosophy. This affinity for libertarianism wears off when they realize that were principled, that no, were not just trolling, says Gillespie.
Get The Beast In Your Inbox!
Start and finish your day with the top stories from The Daily Beast.
A speedy, smart summary of all the news you need to know (and nothing you don't).
Subscribe
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to the Daily Digest and Cheat Sheet. We will not share your email with anyone for any reason.
David Boaz provided yet another explanation. Some people may become libertarians because theyre angry, Boaz says. For a while, its enough to be angry at the government. But ultimately libertarianism is about peaceful cooperationmarkets, civil society, global trade, peaceso it just isnt angry enough for some people. Racial intolerance is a way to be angry at the whole world. And I think you hear that in some of the alt-right types.
The most recent example of this transformation is Christopher Cantwell, who has garnered 15 minutes of infamy by virtue of appearing in that viral Vice documentary about Charlottesville.
On a post-Charlottesville blog post, Cantwell discussed his conversion from libertarianism to the alt-right. As immigration became a leading news story in America and Europe, he writes, Lew Rockwell gave a talk titled Open Borders Are an Assault on Private Property. From here, I decided to readHans Hermann Hoppes Democracy: The God That Failed. From these, I realized that the libertine vision of a free society was quite distorted. The society we sought actually would provide far more order and control than [would] modern democratic governments. It would encourage more socially conservative behavior and less compulsory association. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, I was once again reminded of my naivety.
Cantwell continues, People should be free to exercise complete control over their own person and property. If blacks are committing crimes, or Jews are spreading communism, discriminating against them is the right of any property owner. The fact that he may or may not miss out on good blacks or Jews is a risk he takes, and the merit of his decisions will be proven out by the market. Since a libertarian society would permit this, it seemed foolish that I should be compelled to support a democratic government policy which did not It was only after all this that Donald Trump seemed worth taking seriously.
A friend of mine who is libertarian suggests that other libertarians never liked Cantwell, and that he was simply using libertarianism as a shield for expressing a lot of disturbing viewpoints. Despite the negative stereotypes, casting yourself as libertarian still has some cache. Celebrities like Bill Maher and Vince Vaughn have identified with the labelwhich seems to be a way of expressing some conservative viewpoints while still supporting the decriminalization of marijuana and distancing yourself from social conservatism. Libertarians wont continue to enjoy this status if the alt-right is allowed to tarnish their philosophy, too.
Over at HotAir, Taylor Millard says that conservatives and libertarians need to purge white supremacists. If they are smart, they will follow his advice.
Here is the original post:
The Insidious Libertarian-to-Alt-Right Pipeline - Daily Beast
- David Boaz, leading voice of libertarianism, dies at 70 - The Boston Globe - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- David Boaz, a Leading Voice of Libertarianism, Dies at 70 - The New York Times - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- INTERVIEW: 1-on-1 with Chase Oliver, 2024 Libertarian presidential nominee and a Georgia resident - Connect Savannah.com - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- I'm a libertarian but the party has turned into a joke - New York Post - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Libertarians Gather to Protest Nashua's Pine Tree Flag Ban - NH Journal - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian announces bid for Congress in Southeast Iowa - The Gazette - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- David Boaz, RIP: Reflections on a Great Libertarian, Friend, and Colleague - Cato Institute - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- 'Start tearing down this two-party system': Atlanta Libertarian Chase Oliver kicks off presidential campaign - WABE 90.1 FM - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- David Boaz, 19532024 - by Tim Miller - The Bulwark - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- David Boaz, leading voice of libertarianism, dies at 70 - The Washington Post - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian Party names presidential nominee as RFK Jr crashes out of race and Trump fails to qualify - Yahoo News Canada - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Showdown at the Libertarian Convention - The American Conservative - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Chase Oliver on His Libertarian Party Presidential Campaign - C-SPAN - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Will the Trumpification of the Libertarian Party Actually Hurt Donald Trump? - The Dispatch - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- 'The Zionists Always Get Their Way': Libertarian Party of Michigan Posts Antisemitic Cartoon Depicting Jews as Puppet ... - Algemeiner - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- How FreedomWorks Paved the Way for Trumpismand for Its Own Demise - The New Republic - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- The Tea Party Movement Died With a Whimper - The Dispatch - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- R.F.K. Jr., Invited to Libertarian Convention, Seeks Trump Debate - The New York Times - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Knapp: No, Trump and Kennedy aren't Libertarian candidates - Bay to Bay News - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Long (Political) Covid - Kevin D. Williamson - The Dispatch - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- No, Trump and Kennedy aren't libertarian candidates - Restoration NewsMedia - Restoration NewsMedia - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Libertarians at odds over Donald Trump headlining their convention - The Washington Post - The Washington Post - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. challenges Donald Trump to debate at Libertarian Convention - The Associated Press - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Trump's MAGA takeover of the Libertarian Party - The Boston Globe - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- The Libertarian Party Crackup - by Tyler Groenendal - The Bulwark - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Cartoon: The 24 Types of Libertarian - Daily Kos - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Trump should debate RFK Jr at the libertarian convention - Washington Examiner - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Four Obstacles Facing Libertarian Proponents of Border Controls The Future of Freedom Foundation - The Future of Freedom Foundation - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Trump and RFK Jr. are both set to address the Libertarian convention. Kennedy wants to debate. - MarketWatch - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Trump's Libertarian Convention Speech a 'Head-Scratcher'for the Libertarians - The American Conservative - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Trump Talks to Libertarians - Splice Today - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- What was the tea party? What is Trumpism?: On populism and FreedomWorks - Washington Examiner - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Donald Trump Will Speak at the Libertarian Convention. It's Not as Weird as It Sounds. Mother Jones - Mother Jones - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Donald Trump courts an increasingly friendly Libertarian Party - Semafor - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Why is Trump really speaking at the Libertarian conference? RFK Jr's polls - The Independent - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump will speak at the Libertarian National Convention as he woos independent voters - The Associated Press - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump to address Libertarian Party convention - The Hill - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Is the Libertarian Party Too Bigoted Even for Trump? - The Daily Beast - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump will speak at the Libertarian National Convention as he woos independent voters - KEYT - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump to address Libertarian National Convention this month - SRN News - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump, Wooing Libertarian Voters, Agrees To Speak at Party's Convention as Concern Waxes on the Right Over RFK Jr. - The New York Sun - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Donald Trump speaking at Libertarian national convention Deseret News - Deseret News - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump to speak at Libertarian National Convention - Washington Examiner - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump will speak at the Libertarian National Convention as he woos independent voters - PinalCentral - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump will speak at the Libertarian National Convention, addressing a party linked to Kennedy Jr. - Indiana Gazette - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- US libertarian party says Trump accepted invite to address national convention - United News of India - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump to speak at Libertarian National Convention - Just The News - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Trump will speak at the Libertarian National Convention, addressing a party linked to Kennedy Jr. - Times Daily - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- Donald Trump Courts Libertarian Voters at National Convention - The Stock Dork - May 3rd, 2024 [May 3rd, 2024]
- The Spectacular Implosion of the Libertarian Party Mother Jones - Mother Jones - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- RFK Jr. says he wont run as Libertarian - The Hill - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Opposing random searches and upholding Libertarian principles - The West Volusia Beacon - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- UFC Fighter Delights Very Online Libertarians With Shoutout to Ludwig von Mises in Victory Speech - The New York Sun - April 20th, 2024 [April 20th, 2024]
- Is RFK Jr. a good fit for the Libertarian party? - UnHerd - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. flirts with the Libertarian nomination - POLITICO - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- One Hundred Days of Libertarian Populism in Argentina - The American Conservative - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- RFK Jr. in talks to run on the Libertarian Party ticket to ease ballot challenges - Washington Examiner - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- When Will the Libertarian Party Have Its Moment? - Econlib - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- RFK Jr. in talks to run on the Libertarian Party ticket to ease ballot challenges - Colorado Springs Gazette - March 28th, 2024 [March 28th, 2024]
- Opinion | 100 Days of Javier Milei - The New York Times - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Libertarians and Socialists and Jill SteinOh, My! - The New Yorker - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- The Libertarian Party: Too Principled to Win? - Econlib - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- A Brief History of The Spark: A Journal of Contemporary Anarchist Thought - CounterPunch - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Libertarian Greg Tlapek provides alternative choice in District 147 House race - Southeast Missourian - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Review: Sheriff in 'Fargo' Gives Libertarians a Bad Name - Reason - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Libertarian legal nonprofit takes over New York lawsuit alleging discrimination against white men - Green Market Report - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Where Does the Term Libertarian Come From Anyway? | Jeffrey A. Tucker - Foundation for Economic Education - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Could the Libertarian Party nominate RKF Jr.? - NewsNation Now - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Libertarian Views / Father Amorth, Exorcist - Coast To Coast AM - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- RFK JR still flirting with Libertarian Party run? Third parties seek ballot access - The Hill - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Nate Silver: Libertarians Are the Real Liberals - Reason - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- The (Libertarian) Case for Slavery Reparations - Foundation for Economic Education - March 13th, 2024 [March 13th, 2024]
- Libertarian view of bill aimed at independent Kansas candidates: It's about GOP election losses - Kansas Reflector - January 31st, 2024 [January 31st, 2024]
- Learning From History: The Pitfalls of Prohibition Then and Now - Libertarian Party - January 31st, 2024 [January 31st, 2024]
- How Texans can vote in the Green or Libertarian party conventions - KSAT San Antonio - January 31st, 2024 [January 31st, 2024]
- Struggling To Get on Ballots, RFK Jr. Teases Running on a Libertarian Party Ticket - The New York Sun - January 31st, 2024 [January 31st, 2024]
- RFK Jr. Open To Libertarian Party Run - The Daily Wire - January 31st, 2024 [January 31st, 2024]
- Argentina's new libertarian president and unions are headed for a showdown - NPR - January 24th, 2024 [January 24th, 2024]
- The Libertarian Who Could Hold the Key to the Senate - Newsweek - January 24th, 2024 [January 24th, 2024]
- Chair of Lake County Libertarian Party appointed to St. John Economic Development Committee - The Times of Northwest Indiana - January 24th, 2024 [January 24th, 2024]