I’ve previously written about the good work being done at Cato Unbound and with the beginning of a new month I can always look forward to a new topic being discussed. There are some months where the topic doesn’t really engage me but then there are months I’m all in from the beginning. This month I’m all in on the topic of the fusion between conservatism and libertarianism. I want to briefly quote from the two essays out so far and then add some thoughts of my own.
From the lead essay by Jacqueline Otto (link to the full piece):
However, the differences between libertarians and conservatives are already well defined, and redefining them is not the purpose of this discussion. Instead, what I propose is that the way forward for fusionism is to celebrate the moral superiority of free markets and limited government and do a better job of making those moral arguments to religious conservatives.
From the first response essay by Jeremy Kolassa (link to the full piece):
If we’re going to save the free market and establish a truly limited government in America, libertarians need to come out from the conservatives’ shadow. We need to end the unequal treaty and emerge as a fully independent brand, on an equal footing. We need to make a case for liberty without caveats. Liberty for all, even those people I might not like so much. Such a consistent stance will win over Americans that the inconsistent conservative one hasn’t. We should no longer tolerate just being patted on the head by conservatives and told to be quiet. We’ve done that for years, and it has not gotten us any more liberty.
Now my thoughts.
As a recovering conservative who is now more of a libertarian Christian I welcome this series of essays because discussions of whether to continue the alliance with the GOP or break-away have been on-going for some time in Christian circles. There is clear dissatisfaction within my generation of Christians with the way we have been sold out to the Republican party since the 80’s. You can easily see this with the number of young Christians who were willing to vote for President Obama in 2008 and 2012. I am glad this same discussion is being had within libertarian circles.
The title of this post asks a questions but I do not think the answer is simple. Jacqueline Otto makes an effective case why libertarians and conservatives (especially Christian conservatives) can and should work together on economic issues, but she does not touch on the myriad social and domestic policy issues where they cannot and likely will not work together. Jeremy Kolassa rightly calls her out on this and I agree. Christians, libertarians, and conservatives can work together on selected issues and they should, but each group need not be afraid to reach out to Democrats or atheists where they agree on other issues, a holistic approach to being pro-life that account for war and the death penalty being one example.
I welcome the next two reaction essays and the ensuing discussion. I hope you enjoy the initial essays and upcoming essays as much as I do.
