How Libertarianism Went Off the Rails (w/ John Hudak and Andy Craig)

May 04, 2022 00:57:40
How Libertarianism Went Off the Rails (w/ John Hudak and Andy Craig)
ReImagining Liberty
How Libertarianism Went Off the Rails (w/ John Hudak and Andy Craig)

May 04 2022 | 00:57:40

/

Show Notes

For years, I’ve proudly called myself a libertarian, because “libertarianism” best describes my commitment to robust freedom, as well as my understanding of the threat government poses to it.


But lately I found myself less willing to use the label when talking to new people. Not because “libertarian” no longer accurately describes my political views, but because certain groups claiming the label have become louder and more visible, and have, unfortunately, tarnished the term with an illiberal ugliness most people, rightfully, find repulsive.


I'm talking about the so-called “paleolibertarians,” those of the unfortunate libertarian to alt-right pipeline. They’re ubiquitous in libertarian circles on Twitter and, lately, they've even managed to takeover the Libertarian Party.


To talk about these unfortunate trends in libertarian activism, and what it means for the future of the liberty movement, I’m joined by Andy Craig (@AndrewRCraig) and John Hudak (@johnmhudak).


Andy is a staff writer at the Cato Institute and, until recently, was active within the Libertarian Party. John is co-founder of Fakertarians, where he exhaustively catalogs and responds to the bad ideas, and worse personality, among the illiberals calling themselves libertarians.


We talk about what’s changed in the years since Trump’s rise, how so many have come to deeply misunderstand the animating values of the libertarian project, and what can be done to combat illiberal populism.


ReImagining Liberty is a project of The UnPopulist, and is produced by Landry Ayres. Podcast art by Sergio R. M. Duarte.


Join the ReImagining Liberty Discord community and book club.


Music: Finding the Balance by Kevin MacLeod | Link | License



Get full access to Aaron Ross Powell at www.aaronrosspowell.com/subscribe

Other Episodes

Episode

February 17, 2024 00:47:15
Episode Cover

The Risk of Civil War 2.0 (w/ Patrick Eddington)

The January 6th insurrection demonstrated the Trumpist right's willing to use violence to advance its political interests. My guest today is worried that was...

Listen

Episode

February 15, 2023 00:48:28
Episode Cover

What Democracy Demands of Us (w/ Kevin J. Elliott)

My guest today is Kevin J. Elliott, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Murray State University. He's the author of the upcoming book, Democracy...

Listen

Episode

July 19, 2023 00:54:04
Episode Cover

Why the Right Hates Equality (w/ Matthew McManus)

Over the last decade, the political far right has roared back into power, not just with Trumpism in the US, but with populist movements...

Listen