I know, or at least get the impression, that many hardcore libertarians really don’t like the Cato Institute or the Libertarian Party.
But why is there so much hostility to groups that, for the most part, has been trying to increase our freedoms?
Because those groups are political groups with political goals, and libertarians are beginning to realize that it is impossible for liberty to be a political goal.
In my case, it’s because I feel those groups are spending their money poorly. The Libertarian Party will never, ever win anything significant. We should be invading the Democratic and Republican parties instead.
That being said, the capacity for political involvement for getting the word out about an issue can’t be ignored. Perhaps the libertarian party won’t actually influence any elections, but I’m sure it lead at least a few people to ask “Who are those libertarians, anyway?” For whatever that’s worth, I can get behind them.
I agree with half of that. The LP does spend its capital very unwisely. They shoot their bolt at a target miles out of range every election. If the LP were to concentrate its power (which is significant) on local politics, where decisive tactical victories can be won, then they would be an asset to the movement.
I used to support the Libertarian Party, and I guess if it came down to it and I could vote, I would vote for an LP candidate. However, many people in the Libertarian Party who claim to be Libertarians are not. Take Mike Gravel for instance. He is good on personal liberties, but when it comes to the free market, he is a socialist. Gravel is not the only one that stands behind the LP, but holds very few Libertarian values, there are others too.
edit: I know there was a completly different thread on Mike Gravel and Libertarian Party.
Well the Cato Institute frequently compromises their beliefs. I think they came out in support of the Protect America Act. The Libertarian Party didn’t compromise its principles until it dumbed down the platform two years ago. In addition, the LP rarely enjoys electoral success, with Ron Paul being their only congressman in the last 36 years (and even he didn’t get elected under the LP baner.)
Cato is more enamoured with Public Choice than Austrian economics anyway, even if both are represented there.