From: bam@bnlux1.bnl.gov (Bruce A. Martin)
Subject: Re: Libertarian definition. -- 1955 article by Dean Russell
Keywords: Libertarian
Organization: (none)
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 22:25:29 GMT

In article <1992Jul30.143952.12547@bnr.ca> stu5s33@bnr.ca writes:
>Could anybody tell me what the platform of the Libertarian party is, and 
>exactly what it means ?
>
>How does it differ from Laissez-faire capitalism ?
>
>Robert Nychka

Another poster already suggested calling 800-682-1776 to get (free) literature
about the LP and libertarianism.

As far as I know, the term "libertarian" in its present usage was proposed
by Dean Russell in 1955.  Perhaps there was earlier usage; does anyone know?
(Also, I'm well aware that the term "libertarian" had been used differently in
earlier times.  So was the word "liberal".)

The text of the article, reprinted below, may provide some insight into the
use of the term "libertarian" in American philosophical and political
discourse during the decade or two preceding the actual founding of a
political party in 1971.  Today, the LP is a diverse group and not all
members would necessarily agree with every sentence.  However, it is fair 
to say that the LP's use of the term today is not at all inconsistent with
the definition given in Dean Russell's article.

				-=o=-

Following is the text of a little pamphlet printed by The Foundation for
Economic Education, Inc., which reprinted an article that first appeared in
the May 1955 issue of "Ideas on Liberty".  The pamphlet was handed to me in
1962 or 1963 by a Philosophy Professor (at a nearby college) named John
Hospers, in his capacity as Faculty Advisor for a campus chapter of 
"Students of Objectivism".

Later, in 1972, Dr. Hospers was Presidential candidate of the newly-formed
Libertarian Party.  He received one Electoral College vote -- only 16 fewer
than George McGovern!  In every election since then, the LP Presidential
candidate received more popular votes than anyone else who had not previously
been elected to office as a Democrat or Republican (and usually more than all
of the other third-party candidates put together).  This is one basis for
claiming that the LP is "Americas Third Party".

Text of the Dean Russell article is attached below.  I hope you enjoy it.

bam@bnl.gov (Bruce A. Martin)     /|\Master of the Tripods of Hephaestus./|\  
[My opinions are my property, belong to me only, and represent no one else!]
# include discaimers.h            /***** Marrou/Lord in '92 *****/
# delete BUSHLIPS,SlickWillie     /***** CALL 800-682-1776  *****/


.........................  (Text of article) .............................

		"Who is a Libertarian?"
		by Dean Russell

____Those of us who favor individual freedom with personal responsibility
have been unable to agree on a generally acceptable name for ourselves and
our philosophy of liberty.  This would be relatively unimportant except for
the fact that the opposition will call us by some name, even though we might
not desire to be identified by any name at all.  Since this is so, we might
better select a name with some logic instead of permitting the opposition to
saddle us with an epithet.

Some of us call ourselves "individualists", but others point out that the
opposition often uses that word to describe a heartless person who doesn't
care about the problems and aspirations of other people.

Some of us call ourselves "conservatives", but that term describes many
persons who base their approval of an institution more on its age than on its
inherent worth.

Many of us call ourselves "liberals".  And it is true that the word "liberal"
once described persons who respected the individual and feared the use of
mass compulsions.  But the leftists have now corrupted that once-proud term
to identify themselves and their program of more government ownership of
property and more controls over persons.  As a result, those of us who
believe in freedom must explain that when we call ourselves liberals, we
mean liberals in the uncorrupted classical sense.  At best, this is awkward,
subject to misunderstanding.


____Here is a suggestion:  Let those of us who love liberty trade-mark and
reserve for our own use the good and honorable word "libertarian".

'Webster's New International Dictionary' defines a libertarian as "One who
holds to the doctrine of free will; also one who upholds the principles of
liberty, esp. individual liberty of thought and action".

In popular terminology, a libertarian is the opposite of an authoritarian.
Strictly speaking, a libertarian is one who rejects the idea of using
violence or the threat of violence -- legal or illegal -- to impose his will
or viewpoint upon any peaceful person.  Generally speaking, a libertarian is
one who wants to be governed far less than he is today.

A libertarian believes that the government should protect all persons equally
against external or internal aggression, but should otherwise generally leave
people alone to work out their own problems and aspirations.


____While a libertarian expects the government to render equal protection to
all persons against outright fraud and misrepresentation, he doesn't expect
government to protect anyone from the consequences of his own free choices.
A libertarian holds that persons who make wise choices are entitled to enjoy
the fruits of their wisdom, and that persons who make unwise choices have no
right to demand that government reimburse them for their folly.

A libertarian expects his government to establish, support, and enforce the
decisions of impartial courts of justice -- courts which do not recognize or
refer to a person's race, religion, or economic status.  If justice is to be
rendered, the decisions of these courts must be as binding upon government
officials and their actions as upon other persons and their action.


____A libertarian respects the right of every person to use and enjoy his
honestly acquired property -- to trade it, sell it, or even give it away --
for he knows that human liberty cannot long endure when that fundamental
right is rejected or even seriously impaired.

A libertarian believes that the daily needs of the people can best be
satisfied through the voluntary process of a free and competitive market.
And he holds the strong belief that free persons, using their own honestly
acquired money, are in the best possible position to understand and aid their
fellow men who are in need of help.


____A libertarian favors a strictly limited form of government with many
checks and balances -- and divisions of authority -- to foil the abuses of
the fearful power of government.  And generally speaking, he is one who sees
less, rather than more, need to govern the actions of others.

A libertarian has much faith in himself and other free persons to find
maximum happiness and prosperity in a society wherein no person has the
authority to force any other peaceful person to conform to his viewpoints or
desires in any manner.  his way of life is based on respect for himself and
for all others.


____A libertarian doesn't advocate violent rebellion against prevailing
governments -- except as a last resort before the concentration camps.
But when a libertarian sees harm rather than good in certain acts of govern-
ment, he is obligated to try his best to explain to others who advocate 
those measures why such compulsory means cannot bring the ends which even
they desire.

The libertarian's goal is friendship and peace with his neighbors at home 
and abroad.

..................  (Text from back of pamphlet) ......................

	The beliefs which identify a libertarian -- as defined 
	by Dean Russell -- are not the vogue today.  And in their 
	absence grow and thrive the opposite beliefs -- label
	them state interventionism, socialism, communism, Fabianism,
	nazism, fascism, the planned economy, the Welfare State, or
	whatever.

	Aiding those who seek better understanding and greater skill
	in explaining libertarian ideas is the task to which FEE is
	dedicated.  Anyone, anywhere, may receive FEE's monthly journal,
	'The Freeman', and other studies for the asking.  The services 
	offered by FEE depend upon voluntary financial support from the
	individuals, businesses, and grant-making foundations.

	Direct inquiries to:
				The Foundation for 
				Economic Education, Inc.
				Irvington-on-Hudson, NY

.......................  (End of pamphlet) ...........................
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