The social conservative stances of the GOP can not stand. Are they bound for Libertarianism in the future?

God I hope so.

I’d be just as interested in your opinion if you are a non-Tea Party Libertarian or Republican, but please identify your party or other political persuasion.

Optional bonus question: there are lots of countries with much less government than the US. Which ones do you admire, or not admire?

Anarchy is no functioning government. No president, no congress, no courts, no govenors, no mayors etc… People could do whatever they wanted with no laws, regulations etc…

Libertarianism is what the government of this country was pre 1920’s or so. There would still be a functioning government, aid to those who truly need it (much less than now), far less government regulation of businesses, still be publically run schools, still have taxes (but lower).

The conservative party basically won by a landslide. It seems a majority of Canadians believe in personal responsibility, capitalism, minimal government interventions, lower taxes, etc. but still, the conservative party are still partially socialist as they support public health care and public education. Do you think libertarianism ever has a chance of growing and gaining support in Canada?

About the same chance as Communism or any other "ism" that doesn’t take into account how the world really is.

Why do Republicans love libertarianism but won’t vote Libertarian? Why don’t more Republicans like Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and the Tea partiers who call themselves libertarians actually vote for Libertarians more like Ron Paul?

Conservatives do whatever Fixed Nooz tells them to do.

Fixed Nooz has it in for folks like Ron Paul.

Rational people believe in Rational Governance.
Frightened, superstitious people believe in a government "bogeyman" out to get them, and want to get rid of public transit, policemen, flouride in water, etc.
If you want to go live in a treehouse somewhere, you are free to do so.
But don’t ruin civilized society for the rest of us.
of course it’s silly to think the internet isn’t regulated.

Nope…they won’t just move to Somalia, where their low, low taxes, plentiful ultra-cheap labor, and lack of regulation are already de rigeur. They have to turn us INTO Somalia…
I believe in collective government and in civil society. That is the manner in which every successful nation conducts itself. Unfortunately for us, that has now been deemed "socialism", in the most vicious, McCarthy-ite twisting of that word…

Libertarianism preaches the inviolability of the individual on one hand and absolute tolerance of any behavior be it rape, murder, genocide, child porn etc if it’s happening right next door on the other how can these things even be compatible with one another?
But Libertarianism does not allow to put a stop to genocide if it’s happening say in a neighboring state say Mexico or Canada start a genocide campaign against X group of people.
Acording to the libertarian principles one has to tolerate that. How is that any different from allowing mass murder, rape right next door?

Libertarians support a government that protects life, liberty and property. Allowing people to get raped and murdered is not protecting life and liberty. You don’t know what you are talking about.

Wow his answer is really just like mine.
Libertarianism is your rights end where my begin. We are all free so don’t screw it up by raping, murdering and pillaging. That isn’t freedom. It is anarchy.

If the libertarian ideology espoused corporatism, why would the Banks give MILLIONS TO OBAMA, and ZERO TO RON PAUL?

Maybe because the status quo is corporatism and libertarianism might actually introduce capitalism?

THINK ABOUT IT.

The media has trained the populace to think that regulations and government interference is what protects us from the greed of corporations and capitalism. Therefore, when people are presented with true free market ideas they think that corporations will rape the people without the protection of big government. What they do not understand is that regulations and government interference create barriers of entry preventing competition and fosters a false sense of security. The environment these regulations create hinder small businesses and promote the growth of corporations that are too big to fail and that can afford lobbyists and large campaign contributions.

For example, there are currently bills in congress that will all but put the small farmer out of business in the name of consumer protection under the guise of regulation. Some of these bills require the tracking of farm produce from it origin to the mouth that it feeds. There are no exclusions for farmers markets, organic farmers, small farmers or even gardeners so they will eventually have to comply. What small farmer is going to be able to afford to put in place a tracking system to provide this information required or be able to afford the $1 million fine for failure to comply? The large food producing corporations can already provide this information will loose their competition. Is it any wonder that the sponsors of these bills have strong ties to ADM and Monsanto? These bills will also give us a false sense of security in thinking that our food is safe just because it has a bar-code on it and the ability to track who poisoned your apple. Yet you are already dead from eating your poisoned apple so are you really that much safer?

Since the election, I have seen a rapid rise in the number of Libertarians on Y!A.

Is there a high possibility that they can field a potential candidate in 2012 to oppose the Democrats and Republicans?

What are your thoughts on the matter?

Capt Williard has a great point– i was disgusted by the choice of Barr for our nominee.

To answer the question though: hopefully, we can continue to tap into the unrest over the old 2 party shuffle, and generate enough grassroots support to get a Libertarian in the debates and on ballots. We have lots of hurdles to clear, thanks to the Dems and Republicans, but we also have them to thank for all the anger and distrust in the government, so….

Probability? If the election were in 2010, i’d say high, around 70% chance to get someone on a ticket to oppose. Who knows what the next few years bring.

What are the basic political and social beliefs of libertarianism?

Libertarianism is essentially 18th and early 19th century Liberalism.

It focuses on limited government, the rights of the individual reigning supreme over the community, and a free market economy. Libertarianism truly focuses on individualism. In fact, the Libertarians were simply classical Liberals that split from the old Liberals becuase of the general direction that movement was heading… towards greater government only to ensure equality of opportunity to make a just society that still focuses on the individual.

Libertarians would believe in a very small, de-centralized government (although some may prefer a centralized one to ensure a solid economy, defence, etc). Many would probably reject the party systems of government in favour of a completely independent legislature to truly voice constituents’ concerns to the national level. Either way, they would want a smaller government with limited laws and limited taxation to better give the inidividual reign over his/her own activities. Libertarians would not be a fan of social programs or any leftist (modern leftist) social policies. The Libertarian would declare education, health care, etc to be the responsibility of the individual and not the state.

Many of America’s founding fathers were libertarian (in the modern sense of the word). Remember in their time they were Liberal.. because Liberal and Libertarian back then were virutlaly the samet hing. While Conservativism back then referred to Toryism…. a strong and large government that retains the status quo of religion, heirarchy and social order.

Both Liberalism and Conservativism have changed in meaning over time. In fact, it is much more correct to say that modern American Conservatives are actually "neo-liberals". Not quite Libertarian.. although many Libertarians more than not support modern Conservatives… lol kind of a confusing terminology.

A good example of who has Libertarian leanings in the primaries would be Ron Paul.

Oh, well with exemption of what lead to 1929 depression. But that was a fluke. Any other examples I might be able to use?

We have already seen proof that neither the Democrats nor Republicans have ideas that work, so why do people still flock to them?