Natural Rights vs. Moderation

Suppose you live in a district that could support a moderate libertarian but will not support a full-on "principled" libertarian.

Is it evil to run as a moderate?

Is it better to let a statist win than to be/promote a moderate libertarian?

Suppose you are a purist radical. Is it dishonest to run as a moderate or incremental libertarian?

This area is devoted to discussing these very important questions.

Bertrand Russell on Dogmatism. by Tim Crowley. Have our Libertarian Ideals degenerated into Dogma? These quotes could have been used by Purists against 'the cult of the omnipotent state' thirty five years ago. But perhaps by now, they could also be used by Inclusive, Pragmatic Libertarians toward the Purists?

Purist Vs. Pragmatist Doctrine, according to Mindwars by Ian McFadyen by Tim Crowley. The book “Mindwars” discusses the dynamics of doctrines in general with its list of 25 tenets that are true of all doctrines—good or bad. I have added some commentary for each which is intended to illuminate the Purist vs. Pragmatist docrinal controversy. If the LRC intends to change the LP's basic doctrine, it would be useful to see what effects will be created.

The Grand American Consensus by David Brin. Freedom and resistance to authority is deeply engrained in the American psyche. So why isn't libertarianism more popular? Part III in an ongoing series by author and science futurist David Brin

The Ultimate Goal by David Brin. Different political philosphies can have the same goal while prescribing different paths. Here, author and scientist David Brin makes the case that incremental improvement in a context of general individualism may be part of a long process of transformation that was first envisioned by Locke, an evolutionary process of gradually shifting from implicit to explicit social contracts. This is Part 2 of "Political Totemism and the Danger of Metaphors" by David Brin.

Incrementalating 101 by The Incrementalator. How can a principled Libertarian advocate incremental steps without being dishonest? Here is the first in a series on the subject.

Excuses for Liberty by Carl S. Milsted Jr.. The essay that started it all. Written several years ago and unsuccessfully submitted to Liberty, contains a complete manifesto for a more moderate approach to thinking about liberty. Perhaps a bit long, and the writing could be more polished, but this essay was the launching point of several projects including Holisticpolitics.org and this site.

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