Regarding the Mises Caucus' Victory
It was only two weeks ago when
I last spoke about the Libertarian Party. My comments on the
Party were entirely disapproving, believing the Party to be an embarrassment to
libertarian values. From a strongly anarchist and quasi-agorist position, I
viewed the LP as an illegitimate entity. In my, and
others’, view, an ideology opposed to politics and the State
has no place participating in politics and the State. While this view of mine
has not changed, the Libertarian Party itself has in fact changed in the past
few days, and that’s why I wanted to sit down and write up this article.
To put it briefly for the outsider or whoever might be
reading this, a few days ago the Libertarian Party hosted its national
convention down in Reno, Nevada. The LNC brings together Libertarians across
the country to discuss libertarianism (or rather, as is mostly the case in the
LP, classical liberalism), and to elect the members of the Libertarian National
Committee. What
happened at this convention is that the National Committee has
been filled with members of the
Mises Caucus, which, unlike the “pragmatist” (i.e., compromisarian)
faction that has been in control of the Party for years now, is truly
libertarian (at least up to the point of condoning political participation) and
authentically Rothbardian (especially since some of its advisors - such as Tom
Woods, Walter
Block, and Ron
Paul
– had direct relationships with Rothbard).
This is very good for those who understand what
libertarianism is, as a
descendant of classical liberalism, a
sapling nurtured by Murray Rothbard, and inextricably
connected to the Mises Institute (which Ron Paul, his
chief-of-staff Lew Rockwell, and Rothbard himself were key figures in the
beginning of). It is very bad for the many compromisarian and left-libertarian
roaches who’d been given a home under the auspices of Nick Sarwark’s
chairmanship, who are already squealing on Twitter over the Rothbardian reforms
that have already happened, such as removing mention of abortion and bigotry
from the Party’s platform.
The Mises Caucus, in Ron Paul’s words,
is the libertarian wing of the Libertarian Party. Under their guidance for the
next two years, and hopefully much longer (forever, even!), the Party will
hopefully turn down a brighter path. Left-libertarianism and compromisarianism
will be reproached, silence or compromise on problems caused by the State will
be rejected, and the merits/rights of decentralization and secession will be
given especial priority. I have truly been given a boost of confidence due to
this most recent development, even if it hasn’t changed my fundamental reasons
for opposing the existence of the Party in favor of private institutions.
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