Top Ten Branches of Libertarianism

Libertarianism is a political philosophy that believes in small government. Like many other areas of political thought, there are many branches of Libertarianism. Here are the top ten.
The Top Ten
1 Geolibertarianism

Geolibertarians worship Henry George, who was an economist in the 19th century. During the Gilded Age, wealth inequality was horrible, and the living conditions for many of the people at the bottom of the income latter were disgusting and horrifying. Ten or more people would be crammed into one room, feces would be everywhere, and running water was rare. George noticed this, and tried to think of a way to reduce wealth inequality and improve the living conditions for the people at the bottom, but not harm the economy in the process. It was then that he came up with his plan. Get rid of all taxes. He stated that these taxes, which were primarily tariffs at the time, mainly favored the rich over the poor, and were regressive. They also distorted the economy. George said that we should replace all these taxes with one tax. A tax on land. According to George, at the time, the main reason that wealth inequality existed is that the rich had much more access to land than the poor. While the rich lived in mansions, the poor were living in houses that resembled concentration camps. George stated that one cannot really own land, because humans didn't create it. Just like you can't own air or fire. It's part of the Earth. Therefore, it's immoral to exclude other people of that land, because you didn't make it. You just found it. George said that while one cannot own land, one can rent it. Therefore, the federal government should tax the value of land owned by an individual. That way, society is compensated for you borrowing the land, that could've been used by someone else. George said that this tax would reduce wealth inequality, because most land is owned by the wealthy. He also stated that a tax on land is the only tax that doesn't harm the economy. If you tax consumption, you get less of it, which hurts the economy. When you tax income or investment, you get less of it, which hurts the economy. However, if you tax land, it has no negative effect on the economy. Actually,... more

2 Green Libertarianism

Green libertarians believe in almost everything that most modern-day libertarians do, except for one thing. Green libertarians are more likely to pursue efforts to protect the environment than traditional right-wing libertarians. While they say most of our environmental problems would go away if special privileges to corporations were abolished, and the state removes itself from our daily lives, green libertarians support environmental regulation if absolutely necessary.

3 Consequintialism

Consequintialists support almost everything that right-libertarians support, except for one thing. They believe that the use of force can be justified, as long as it will result with positive effects. For example, they may support involuntary taxes, in order to help fund a police force. They might support eminent domain, if it will hell the economy, create jobs, and alleviate poverty.

4 Right-libertarianism

Right-libertarians believe that the government should only do these things. One, provide a defense. Two, uphold contracts. Three, uphold the law. That's it. The rest of the things the federal government currently does should be privatized. Right-libertarianism is currently the most common form of libertarianism in the U.S.

5 Civil Libertarianism

Civil libertarians claim that the government constantly tramples on our civil liberties, and that it should be significantly reduced. However, unlike right-libertarians, civil libertarians are not always fiscally conservative. Many support progressive taxation, liberal spending policies, etc.

6 Paleolibertarianism

Paleolibertarians, not even going to try to spell that word again, are isolationists when it comes to foreign policy. They support war only if attacked, and believe in withdrawing from NATO and the UN. They are also against liberal immigration policies, claiming that they are a threat to our national security. Paleolibertarians are conservatives, in the sense that they may be against gay marriage, abortion, etc. However, unlike conservatives, they don't believe that they should be illegal, only frowned upon.

7 Panarchism

Panarchists believe that the United States should not just have one form of government. Like most Libertarians, Panarchists believe in competition. They believe that the U.S. should have several, even hundreds, of different types of governments inside the country, and allow them to compete for members. Everyone would receive a form, which would ask what government you would like to live under. Democracy, Republic, Communist, Fascist, Anarchy, etc. When you pick, you would be encouraged to move to an area where that government exists. You might stroll past one neighborhood that is anarchist, then one that is fascist, then one that is a Republic. While this would, obviously, probably never happen, it would be nice.

8 Libertarian Socialism

WHAT? How can libertarianism and socialism be compatible? Well, there are two main branches in libertarianism. Right-libertarians are the most common, and they prioritize the individual over society. Left-libertarians are the opposite. They state that people cannot truly be free unless they have their basic needs met, which must be provided by society, such as having food, shelter, land, medical care, etc. Therefore, most Left-libertarians are socialists, communists, or just support very large government interference in the economy. Libertarian Socialists believe that currency should be abolished, and people should take according to their need. People wouldn't be required to work, but if they do, the workers would control their industry, not capitalists. There are two main criticisms of LS. One, if people just take what they need, without paying, wouldn't this lead to overconsumption which would lead to shortages? LS's fire back, if you could get what you want for free at any time, why would you get more than you have to? What's the purpose of me taking twenty six-pack of root beer at one time, if I only drink one or two packs a month? The root beer will still be there if I run out. I can just take more when I need it. Another criticism is that no one would work, since all their needs is provided for them, and there is no monetary incentive. LS's respond by saying people will be encouraged to work because if no one works, society suffers. If everyone is lazy, there will be no doctors, or teachers, or lawyers, etc. Therefore, although there is no monetary incentive, there is still an incentive to work. Many LS's point out that the Native Americans lived in societies that resembled libertarian socialism, and that the Republicans during the Spanish-American war practiced LS, and both the groups were successful, until they were taken over by an invading country.

9 Christian Libertarianism

Christian libertarians believe that the country should return to its religious principals, but, unlike conservatives, they believe it should be voluntary, not by force. They support small government, and parents, schools, and churches instilling religious values in children.

10 Voluntaryism

Voluntarists believe that all human interaction should be strictly voluntary. That means no taxes, no compulsory education, etc.

BAdd New Item