Blue Ear Forum postings individual authors. All rights reserved. I tend to think of libertarian thought as being the antithesis of conservatism, liberalism, environmentalism and all the other isms. All libertarians are by nature sceptical but not all sceptics are libertarian.
Some people are satisfied to doubt the claims of the right or the left.
Libertarians are sceptical of any ism that would impose itself on the free choices of individuals. We re not na ve. Governments do have a role in providing for national defence, courts and police to protect the properties, persons and freedoms of individuals. Our hesitation in using the coercive power of government is best captured in a quote from Oliver Cromwell. Although Cromwell showed no hesitation in his ruthless campaign against the Irish he is rightly praised by noted American jurist Learned Hand for his words to the Scots in 1650 on the eve of the Battle of Dunbar.