I wanted to explore some ideas from the recent discussion in the Trump thread but it doesn't belong in a Trump thread so here's a new one.
Libertarian principles strongly promote individual/civil/human rights, including the right to be free from government coercion, the right to free expression, to privacy, to sexual freedom, to abortion, freedom from the death penalty, etc.
But then when it comes to international affairs, it's basically: "We condemn the governments and non-governmental political groups (e.g., ISIS) that are oppressing y'all. We feel your pain. But we're strongly committed to doing absolutely nothing about it."
So that's where I struggle a lot. How can one morally embrace the core principles of libertarianism and simultaneously commit to isolationism even in the face of genocide or other instances of rampant and draconian abuses of human/individual rights around the world. Is Libertarianism really so beholden to national borders when it's core principals are so anti-statist?
Libertarian principles strongly promote individual/civil/human rights, including the right to be free from government coercion, the right to free expression, to privacy, to sexual freedom, to abortion, freedom from the death penalty, etc.
But then when it comes to international affairs, it's basically: "We condemn the governments and non-governmental political groups (e.g., ISIS) that are oppressing y'all. We feel your pain. But we're strongly committed to doing absolutely nothing about it."
3.3 International Affairs
American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world. Our foreign policy should emphasize defense against attack from abroad and enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign entanglements. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid. We recognize the right of all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and especially the use of terrorism, against the innocent, regardless of whether such acts are committed by governments or by political or revolutionary groups.
American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world. Our foreign policy should emphasize defense against attack from abroad and enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign entanglements. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid. We recognize the right of all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and especially the use of terrorism, against the innocent, regardless of whether such acts are committed by governments or by political or revolutionary groups.
So that's where I struggle a lot. How can one morally embrace the core principles of libertarianism and simultaneously commit to isolationism even in the face of genocide or other instances of rampant and draconian abuses of human/individual rights around the world. Is Libertarianism really so beholden to national borders when it's core principals are so anti-statist?
Comment