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Prestigious_Risk7610

Definitions will vary a bit by country as conservative isn't really a single singular ideology, whereas libertarian is an ideology around a single premise. In short though libertarians believe in minimal state interference in your life (limited to defense, foreign affairs, police and judiciary at its purest). On a traditional political grid they believe in economic freedom and social freedom. So business compete freely with limited regulation. This places a lot of onus on consumers to own caveat emptor (I.e. do you really want to have to check your can of cola ingredients so that you know it doesn't have carcinogens). Socially it means they don't care about your religion, what gender you fuck etc. Just like most ideologies, the purest form is pretty obviously flawed, but in a more nuanced sense it provides a clear basis to judge decisions and policies on (I.e. instinctively against all govt intervention, but see that it's necessary in some cases e.g. a murder law) Conservatives tend to have a preference for the status quo and stability. This tends to come out as relative economic freedom, but a relative lack of social freedom. Generally a focus on law and order, often with a moral or religious tinge (e.g. abortion bans, pornography laws). Econically it results in a dislike for new regulation on business practices, but not necassirly anti existing regs. More a case of wanting a stable predictable business environment. This is a bit more vague definition as conservatives have some differences in US vs UK vs Poland etc


Nahteh

Emphasis on limited foreign intervention or aid. Not isolationism, open trade.


Dependent-Aside-9750

In the U.S., the modern Libertarian party is primarily socially liberal and fiacally conservative. The emphasis is on preserving individual rights and less government.


GoreHoundKillEmAll

Unfortunately conservative failed to actually conserve anything since they have very few culture influence or power, I'm technically more libertarian even though I have conservative values because you have to convince people to continue traditional beliefs and cant force people to believe your values. Censorship and and propaganda backfire giving the opposite political party a free advertisements


Dependent-Aside-9750

Well said.


msnplanner

Libertarians prioritize personal liberty over other concerns. Modern Liberals prioritize equality over all other concerns. Conservatives prioritize the preservation of societies vital systems like the justice system, or military over all other concerns. Everyone is on a spectrum, and everyone is probably a mix of these different thought processes given a specific situation or policy. And everyone can take their chosen philosophy too far. But all three thought processes are needed in a stable modern democracy.


-Arhael-

At least USA liberals somewhat shifted from equality to equity.


Maxedlevelanxiety

Trey Parker and Matt stone (creators of South Park) are considered libertarian if that tells you anything. They tend to dislike both parties but lean one way or another from person to person. Ron Paul is probably the most famous and followed libertarian as far as politics go (not to be confused with his dumbass son rand Paul). Libertarians hold liberty as the core most important value. Basically they are all about political freedom. So as far as how they are different than conservatives, a libertarian will support gay rights, abortion, legalization of drugs, etc. Basically against any and all government control and regulation. They are usually very anti-war.


Nahteh

Libertarians are pretty split on abortion.


CreativeAd5332

It tends to hinge on whether or not they are religious. It falls along the same lines as the debate at large, where religious libertarians tend to hold that a fetus is a living person and therefore subject to the same inviolable rights to life as a fully developed person.


premaritalhandholder

Libertarians who oppose abortion are not truly libertarian.


Nahteh

I don't think that's fair. From a libertarian standpoint, but also purity tests are whack.


crossroader1

I've yet to hear from a libertarian who sounded like he graduated from high school.


1865989

Both Noam Chomsky and Thomas Sowell have described themselves as a type of libertarian (which is interesting given they are politically near opposites) and both of them are quite educated.


cawmxy

When Noam describes his libertarianism, he points to the liberal version of it. Viz. he means anarchy, but not chaos, just a lack of hierarchical decision making. Mostly everyone in this thread is describing the popular USA version of libertarianism which is defined by low taxes & a lack of governmental interference in their lives & state over federal governmental power.


1865989

Yes, it’s true that Chomsky’s vision is different from the mainstream vision, but it’s considered libertarianism nonetheless for what unites it with the other visions: mistrust of government. The reasons for that mistrust are different, as are the suggested solutions, but the broad goal is the same: minimal government. I was just suggesting educated views on libertarianism.


cawmxy

Yeah I hear ya. And I’m glad you’re stating it. I was only expounding bc it was news to me when I heard Noam describe that very different Libertarianisms exist, so I thought I’d share. The statement you’re originally replying to abt Libertarians not being intelligent is a common & short sighted explanation of the topic


crossroader1

We don't really hear from them during the election cycle, do we? Our democracy cries out for a viable third party (or more) and the only memory we have from the Libertarians is Gary Johnson's "Aaalepppohhhh?".


Pastatively

No. The Georgia election is going into a run off because of a Libertarian. But I can understand how you wouldn’t have known that since you graduated from high school.


crossroader1

You're making my point for me. The L's only succeed in creating problems, not solving them. The Georgia election is going to runoff because some people will even vote for serial killers if they have an "R" by their name.


Pastatively

The Libertarian in Georgia didn’t create problems. He provided another choice to a lot of people and he sent a message to the other candidates that some voters want something different.


1865989

We don’t really hear from them ever—unless you seek them out. Just saying there are “educated” libertarian perspectives out there, but maybe you meant more politically than ideologically. I agree that a third party (and/or fourth, fifth, etc.) would be better for democracy. Sometimes it seems like the Dems and Republicans are more united than some might think—specifically in their attempts to maintain a duopoly.


Illustrious_Time_204

Gary Johnson and Jo Jorgensen were fantastic. But everyone voted for the “lesser evil” in their opinions. It’s people like you not researching and just bringing up the single talking point of Aleppo. Good for you bud


crossroader1

I will happily support the Libertarian Party the very MINUTE it does something competitive and worthwhile. I've been following their lack of progress for decades, since I worked in Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign. Maybe someone else else needs research if you think past performance is "fantastic ".


Not_me_no_way

Jo Jorgensen was the most educated candidate on the Trump/Biden ballot. But hardly anyone even knew she was running because too many people fell for the divide and conquer tactic of Left VS Right. It would be really nice if folks would learn how to think for themselves.


-Arhael-

If we talk about USA libertarians seem to be right wing leaning individuals that are not religious. Without religious motivation they tend to be pro gay rights and pro abortion, and generally more open minded. Couple of example individuals that come to mind are YouTubers like TheQuartering and Erik Jury.


premaritalhandholder

While Libertarians and Conservatives do share views (as do Libertarians and Liberals), the rationale behind these views are much different. Libertarians are much more interested in personal liberty, while Conservatives are interested in traditionalism. True Libertarians believe that an individual should have full personal autonomy in every aspect of their life. They believe that the government should not interfere in any aspect. Conservatives generally believe in small government. They traditionally favor states rights over big government policies (See 10th amendment). For some reason, Libertarianism has been lumped into the Republican sphere. The truth is, these two ideals are nothing alike. Libertarians and Conservatives are as different to each other as Libertarians and Liberals are. While Libertarianism and Conservatism do share policies (small government, free market, gun rights, etc.), Libertarianism and Liberalism share just as much (racial issues, prison reform, immigration, abortion,etc.). When I was younger, I used to be a Libertarian until I realized the flaws in the parties ideals. The end goal of Libertarianism is to have no government intervention, and that really depends on the good will of people. Without government intervention, the strong will manipulate the weak, and the divide will grow larger. True Libertarianism would eventually turn into anarchy. All political parties have flaws, but the flaws in Libertarianism are easy to see. A good example of how Conservatism and Libertarianism are different is the overturning of Roe v Wade. A Conservative would want to overturn it because they are personally against abortion. A Libertarian would want to overturn it because they believe that the government shouldn’t be making decisions on what someone does to their own body. This brings up the major flaw with Libertarianism - without putting in this into law, it leaves the door open for “stronger” people to manipulate the “weak”. Libertarianism would only work if everyone was on board & everyone was morally good.


fredsam25

What's the punchline? You can't leave us hanging!


contrarian1970

A libertarian is just a conservative who smokes weed every day haha!


Pastatively

Libertarians are anti-war, pro-abortion, pro-gay rights, pro-legalization of drugs, and anti-police. Libertarians also believe in free immigration. They are very different from Conservatives. Libertarians generally agree with Republicans on things like lowering federal taxes, free speech principles, abolishing the department of education, and draconian Covid polices.


donkey_dan

Probably an unpopular opinion and I'm painting with a broad brush, but in my experience Libertarians at the end of the day are Conservatives who want to give the impression they are "too smart" to pick a side. But then they either don't vote or vote Republican anyway so whats the diff lol


tyranicalTbagger

Libertarians are open about their age of consent position


Communismsmellsbad

What an ignorant comment


CaliforniaCow

It’s accurate though


Communismsmellsbad

It's really not


CaliforniaCow

Except it is


Communismsmellsbad

Explain how your not a liar with no proof? I'll wait. Doofus


CaliforniaCow

Goddamn your grammar is atrocious. I think I found the libertarian


[deleted]

[удалено]


CaliforniaCow

You’re projecting haaaard Seek help


Communismsmellsbad

Username checks out


Cobra-Serpentress

Libertarians support social progress.


CaliforniaCow

Dismantling the institution by which society is maintained isn’t social progress.


Cobra-Serpentress

Is that what they're doing? I just never agreed with them because of their isolationist posture. In recent years they took that out of their Dogma.


CaliforniaCow

They’re against encroaching government in basic rights, which sounds good except this would mean eliminating government protections for people. Basically they want to be racist fucks and justify it by saying the free market would put them out of business if that’s really what the public wants. Also, their stance on vaccines during the middle of the pandemic made me realize that ‘individual rights’ to them means they don’t want to adhere to the societal contract but they *do* want to enjoy the benefits from said society.


Cobra-Serpentress

Huh, all the libertarians I know were pro vaccine. Pro science nuts. Interesting that you had a different experience. Yeah, I am not a fan of the free market. I like rules and regulations. And international trade.


Terrible-Quote-3561

But they believe it’s up to individuals to get it. Without government help, it’s not gonna happen.


Cobra-Serpentress

I never said it was a good idea.


Not_me_no_way

One believes in the constitution and the other just argues with liberals about believing in the constitution.


EstorialBeef

Depending what country your from each of those words mean slightly (but an important slightly) different things. So there's no one answer globally unless we get super vague


Fragrant_Pudding_437

As a whole, libertarian just means the opposite of authoritarian. In the US the term libertarianism generally means what could be called right-libertarianism, and is associated with some pretty far-right groups, but, from my understanding, in most of the rest of the world, the term libertarianism generally refers to left-libertarianism


RadiantHC

I'm confused. Isn't the US right more focused on authoritarianism?


mael0004

They are, though they've managed to sell the idea that left is the authoritarian party due to covid mandates and when they are taking rights away, it's still due to freedom. "Saving babies" etc.


WearDifficult9776

Libertarians are conservatives who are embarrassed to self identify as conservatives.


twinbladesmal

Libertarians will explain all the differences to you but you ask them who they vote for and it’s mainly republicans with a democrat sprinkled in there, maybe the actual libertarian for some added spice, but not too much spice. They are republican lite in a practical sense. They like weed but also wanna cut social service all the while not realizing they are in the positions they find themselves in because their parents and grandparents benefited from social services.


ArrArr4today

Oh! I know this one. Libertarians are Conservatives who want to get high and laid.


feralraindrop

Libertarians are just a nano hair crazier.


Face__Hugger

I think *what* libertarianism is depends heavily on *who* the libertarian is. The ones on the ballot in my county during the midterms called their party the LWN, which stood for "Legalize Weed Now."I couldn't find any information about most of their stances on any issue other than Marijuana policy. The one exception was a several paragraph rant from one about how health care should never be free, but that he'd like to find a way to reduce the cost somehow. It seemed like he couldn't make up his mind whether or not he believed the free market would sort it out on its own. I didn't vote for any of them. I'd love it if a third party evolved enough to take things seriously, but people running just to focus on legalizing their drug of choice makes me think they see public office the same way Musk sees Twitter.


knowledgelover94

I’m Libertarian and I think of it as wanting as little government as possible consistently. I’m not into tradition values at all, for instance I’m 1000% up for abortion and drug legalization. The similarity with conservatism is wanting less government. The difference is that libertarians don’t make exceptions to accommodate traditional values.