Talk:Right-libertarianism/Archive 1

Libertarians and Gay Marriage vs Gay Rights
I changed the assertion that libertarians support gay marriage to an assertion that they support gay rights. While most libertarians probably support the concept of the right to gay marriage, not all do. This is important because a more recent principled libertarian position is to remove marriage from the domain of the state, rather than to redefine marriage, as redefining it would not solve the problem society has dealing with the issue (because of the involvement of the state, most libertarians would eventually agree.) To some, this may resemble the school choice issue or the church and state issue. While most non-libertarians would argue their positions on school choice and church vs state within an assumed context of a large and controlling government, libertarians would typically say the problem is the expanding domain of government, and that a free market would correct the problem by allowing unconstrained choice. In the same way, a "free market" in marriage would correct the gay rights issue to marriage. Leaving the state out of it allows all individuals to contract marriage on their own, or with organizations, to define what it is, and avoids a societal "rubber stamp."

Thus, the idea that libertarians support gay marriage can be more generally and correctly stated, that libertarians support gay rights. Put bluntly, if gay people want to marry, that's fine--as with any kind of people. It's not the government's business to stop it or to sanction it. This is markedly different from saying that we (all) support gay marriage, as marriage is currently inextricable from the state, because of licensing (which was introduced to keep people of certain races from marrying people of certain other races.) Individual libertarians may or may not support gay marriage, but most probably believe that government should not be used to interfere with it or to sanction it.

I've tried to be objectively clear and impersonal, though my individual view may show through. I hope I've been respectful in that endeavor, and in turn, can be respected for it. 206.124.31.24 06:26, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

Opposition to the Iraq War
I don't know if the statement that Conservative Libertarians are "overwhelmingly" opposed to Operation Iraqi Freedom is a valid or true statement. Many Right-Wing Libertarians that I have read about or heard on the radio are actually very supportive of the war effort itself.

I'd like something to factually validate that statement before I go and change it. If nobody can prove that statement to be true, then it will be changed to something more factual in context. 205.240.78.20 15:50, 9 April 2007 (UTC)

The Merger
I don't approve of this page becoming Libertarian Republican. There are right-wing Libertarians who don't vote GOP, either because they vote for a different right-wing party, or because they're OUTSIDE the USA. It would be mere myopic US-centricism to turn this article about a world-wide political alignment into a US-only thing. --It&#39;s-is-not-a-genitive 20:28, 5 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Completely agree. Can the tag be removed, as it's been there a month? BobFromBrockley 12:55, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

Article title
If it's "more commonly called Libertarian conservatism" shouldn't that be what the article is called? --D. Monack | talk 18:43, 3 July 2007 (UTC)
 * I created a redirect of that name to the article. I was surprised to find it wasn't a link already, if that truly is the main name. Eliz81(talk)(contribs) 07:51, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

merging
I added the non-duplicate information from Libertarian Conservative and created a redirect here. Eliz81(talk)(contribs) 06:52, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

Terrible Article
This whole article seems terrible. It provides absolutely no definition of its own subject. It just provides vague associations with other ideas and just gives links to a bunch of other stuff. I'm going to nominate this for deletion. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Seth Goldin (talk • contribs) 02:13, 17 September 2007 (UTC)


 * The article is pretty much stub-class IMO at the moment but that's hardly justification for deleting it. Someone with more of a background in political philosophy needs to start expanding it a bit. Wellspring (talk) 16:19, 31 December 2007 (UTC)
 * its just a piece of propaganda, with claims that libertarianism is "left wing".

Merge proposal
In October, an editor placed a tag on 'And' theory of conservatism suggesting a merger with this article, but did not tag this article at that time. That article was eventually nominated for deletion and survived, but several contributors to the AfD suggested that it might be more appropriately merged elsewhere or retitled. Since this merger was already proposed, I have completed it by adding the matching tag. I do not have an opinion on whether or not this is the appropriate destination, as I am unfamiliar with right-libertarianism. --Moonriddengirl (talk) 20:16, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

Bias
I dont understand why someone would tag ONLY the "Classic Libertarianism" with all of those "citation needed" tags when all the other classifications define themselves in the EXACT same format. This is an obviously biased move to try to discredit that section, I suggest removing the specific citation needed tags and tagging the entire article for citations needed. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 137.28.228.112 (talk) 03:31, 12 March 2008 (UTC)


 * Well, it's actually appropriate, IMO. I don't think that "regular" (for lack of a better term) libertarianism in the sense of the LP platform can be classified as right-wing any more than left-wing. Right-wing means conservatism, which is defense of traditional institutions. 68.155.193.42 (talk) 21:47, 30 March 2008 (UTC)

Merge this Poorly Sourced Neologism to Libertarian conservatism

 * First, it is unlikely this article would survive the neologism test, despite unref'd coining of term by one Sam Konkin. See WP:NEO.
 * Second, most of the content that actually can be reliably sourced can be merged into Libertarian conservatism which is slightly less of a neologism. Carol Moore 18:41, 2 July 2008 (UTC)Carolmooredc {talk}


 * This is not a neologicism. It was a common term coined by Samuel Edward Konkin III which defined it a conservative type of minarchism based on gradualism and tradition. It is also called libertarian right.

":::The "Right" of current libertarianism is fairly principled but many of the principles hewed to are anti-principles: gradualism, conservatism, reformism and minarchy. Reason magazine and its Frontlines newsletter are its main organs. The "Center" includes Murray Rothbard and his following, now organized in the LP "Radical" Caucus, which supports Clark "critically," i.e., externally, but not internally. The Rothbard Centrists have moved Left by abandoning monocentrism.""


 * In Konkin's interview, he also characterized the Old Right as paleolibertarians who are influrnced by rothbard. 71.185.237.45 (talk) 20:45, 2 July 2008 (UTC)


 * We join wikipedia under agreement to follow wikipedia's rules (even if we don't officially register), which include WP:RS and WP:NOR (reliable sources and no original research), policies which this article doesn't follow. Anyone can coin any word and philosophy and have their small number or adherents put it up as a wikipedia article. But that doesn't mean it meets wikipedia standards. Why not just put the info in the Konkin article where it belongs. Carol Moore 23:51, 10 July 2008 (UTC)Carolmooredc {talk}

Please read WP:RS and WP:NEO - Konkin rarely a reliable source except in own article
Sam Konkin is a reliable source about himself and which ever group currently reflects (or think it reflects) his views. He's occasionally a borderline WP:RS on specific issues of fact. But not on his own philosophy, be it here or at Libertarianism. That's why I think this article needs to be eliminated. But it's one of several small sectarian poorly sourced ones on libertarianism that has to go (like neo-libertarian) so I'm working on a strategy to get rid of them. Carol Moore 16:32, 16 August 2008 (UTC)Carolmooredc {talk}

Rewrote article rather than crabbing about it
Per the edit summary I made the article more accurate about use of word using WP:RS. I removed WP:UNDUE and WP:OR info in those long listings of types as well as possible WP:BLP labeling of people without references. Some people get made if you call them some brand of libertarian they don't consider themselves. I made konkin shorter and more comprehensible - it was not clear what was and was not his quotes and those weren't the greatest sources, less info with more sources best way to go. As I find other WP:RS use of the phrase, and I know I've seen lots, will add them. Carol Moore 19:14, 8 September 2008 (UTC)Carolmooredc {talk}

Restoring edits
Just restored them since rationales not convincing. Plus removed WP:undue by nonnotable Konkin. CarolMooreDC (talk) 11:33, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Please explain new edits
Because of all the problems with AnonIps pulling numbers over at Libertarianism, a lot of edits on this article by one are bound to raise questions. The lead looks like synthesis, as does some info throughout, and when I get time I'll check the refs more carefully. In the meantime if you want to convince us you aren't a sockpuppet (another problem above) or on some other weird POV trip, feel free! :-) CarolMooreDC (talk) 04:38, 25 August 2010 (UTC)
 * Wait wait wait...you are complaining that someone is sabotaging a political article? That's ironic, given the behaviour of BigK HeX, TFD and yourself on the Libertarianism page.
 * Btw, it's not me. I didn't even know this page existed until 10 minutes ago. BlueRobe (talk) 06:03, 25 August 2010 (UTC)
 * First, putting words in people's mouths and then accusing them of sabotage is doubly WP:Uncivil. I didn't say all the edits are bad. Just want to see if there's a real person there who can explain anything I may question, since one always wonders with Anon IPs. Of course, since they don't have watch lists, who knows if they'll ever show again. CarolMooreDC (talk) 20:25, 25 August 2010 (UTC)
 * I apologise if I overstated your concerns about the edits.
 * I share your frustration with Anon IPs. I happened to find some very useful and complete answers to a tricky question posed by an Anon IP a few weeks back, and I have no idea if he ever saw by response. BlueRobe (talk) 02:04, 26 August 2010 (UTC)
 * I can see the person has been editing away while ignoring talk. Well, will just see what happens if and when I find any problems. Or at least can more clearly articulate why I have discomfort with some edits - which again will be when check out sources. Busy. busy. CarolMooreDC (talk) 13:35, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Turning a phrase into a philosophy
I think I identified what this person did that is questionable, trying to turn a phrase used by all sorts of people for all sorts of views into a more coherent philosophy, by ignoring counter-vailing evidence(which I've fixed in the lead) or WP:Original research. (Like deciding for himself who is old right as opposed to using sources that describe them thusly, and there are such sources.) Plus the sourcing is not always very good, like referencing a whole book with no page numbers here and there, or giving page numbers but no quotes from what is allegedly on them (See Verifiability and PROVEIT.) I'll think about what tag needs to be on the whole article and how much work I want to put into checking sources and deleting WP:OR. Not to mention less dramatic sectioning, which is now WP:UNDUE. CarolMooreDC (talk) 04:46, 21 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Just to make myself clear, if neither a source nor the person themselves labels someone "right libertarian" you can't go sticking it in this article. Please see WP:Verifiability. If YOU think they are "right wing" because of their view points, you are merely engaging in WP:Original research. So hurry up and verify it, including in the text, or see it deleted sooner, rather than later. CarolMooreDC (talk) 03:46, 29 September 2010 (UTC)

CiteCheck tag: verification to get rid of WP:OR
I started checking sources and it is clear that too many sources have neither a link nor a page number nor a quote verifying that anyone has called a person's view "right libertarian" or "right libertarianism." Probably much of it is WP:OR to support use of a phrase which is not in fact used that often, and usually in most general sense not about certain people or views. CarolMooreDC (talk) 12:03, 3 October 2010 (UTC)
 * I deleted the most obviously WP:OR material not verified by either sources or by a search of the term and the person's name and restructured article more appropriately. Still need to check some sources, but Raimondo doesn't even use phrase "right libertarian" in his book about Rothbard. Also a books google search of the term shows some of the ways it is more commonly used, info which can be included in the article. Here's the one place I find the term used in Lewrockwell.com. FYI. CarolMooreDC (talk) 20:11, 19 October 2010 (UTC)

What Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy says
When Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy states: "Libertarianism is often thought of as 'right-wing' doctrine. This, however, is mistaken for at least two reasons. First, on social—rather than economic—issues, libertarianism tends to be 'left-wing'. It opposes laws that restrict consensual and private sexual relationships between adults (e.g., gay sex, non-marital sex, and deviant sex), laws that restrict drug use, laws that impose religious views or practices on individuals, and compulsory military service. Second, in addition to the better-known version of libertarianism—right-libertarianism—there is also a version known as 'left-libertarianism'. Both endorse full self-ownership, but they differ with respect to the powers agents have to appropriate unappropriated natural resources (land, air, water, etc.)."[2]

They mean: Libertarianism of all kinds are anti-state on social issues which is what is considered traditionally to be "left wing."(And it doesn't even mention civil liberties and noninterventionism which all forms of libertarianism support.) Nevertheless, they declare that the libertarianism that supports all that is "right wing" because it happens to not support jack booted thugs expropriating private property. Or whatever it is they say there.

Now, maybe that is not what they mean, but obviously we have different interpretations of a less than clear text, in which case we leave the text and agree to disagree on what they heck they are saying. CarolMooreDC (talk) 19:30, 20 August 2009 (UTC)


 * It's too long of a quote. I don't think it's proper to have such a long quote from another encyclopedia, giving it so much important. It's also an ARGUMENT. There are those that do consider right libertarianism to be right wing. So in that way it's POV to give so much weight to that. Introman (talk) 19:34, 20 August 2009 (UTC)


 * Your second try was better since it did not have a lot of interpretation. Until you changed it to "Some believe" you have to quote at least two sources or you are misrepresenting your source. So I reverted back to one before that which was acceptable. I think. CarolMooreDC (talk) 19:57, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

The statements: Libertarianism of all kinds are anti-state on social issues which is what is considered traditionally to be "left wing." or on the flip Libertarianism of all kinds are anti-state on economic issues which is considered traditionally to be "right wing." ARE BOTH FALLACIES — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.87.240.228 (talk) 22:42, 14 August 2011 (UTC)

Confusing
As the use of "right," "center," "left," to reflect the spectrum within primary branches is understood, the same cannot be said of a subcategory such as Libertarianism. The use of spectrum is both confusing and makes little sense since this terminology is not used in public media or discourse. People will say, "I am a libertarian conservative," but will not say, "I am a right-libertarian" since it just has no applied meaning. The proper article is already entered describing the converged political philosophy of individual sovereignty as a secondary principle to the conservative ideology of limited government. This article should be deleted or merged into the more correct article Libertarian conservatism.

Right libertarianism sounds like a great idea, but I have no clue what the article is trying to say. It really is a terrible article. I think a lot of it should rather be put into terms most of us can understand. I am pro-choice, anti-government, anti-economy, anti-religion, and pro-sex. Am I a right libertarian? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.170.42.84 (talk) 07:14, 1 January 2010 (UTC)


 * clarified lead. Does this help? CarolMooreDC (talk) 14:32, 2 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I'm still trying to work out what "anti-economy" and "pro-sex" mean ;-) BlueRobe (talk) 09:33, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

Yes this article isnt very clear but what it comes down to is that libertarian-right is where the "individual" is king of their own self rather economically or socially. Libertarian left differents from the individual being socially free but under economic socialism, which is usually seen as an impossibilty by many. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.87.240.228 (talk) 22:46, 14 August 2011 (UTC)
 * IMHO "right" libertarian is just a term used by varying authors in varying ways just to organize their books.   Nobody self-identifies by that term, and the meaning changes with the topic at hand.    Trying to write an article under the above conditions is like trying to herd cats; it will inevitably be a mess.  North8000 (talk) 22:58, 14 August 2011 (UTC)

Ayn Rand
Not a single mention of Rand? I trust that her socioeconomic philosophy is prominent enough to earn a spot in this article. 213.109.230.96 (talk) 07:33, 25 September 2011 (UTC)


 * Few folks are treating this as a real article.  See next section.

This article should get deleted/merged
This article is one that really shouldn't exist and I think most folks have been treating it as such rather than working on it. In literature the term "right-libertarianism" is basically a bunch of separate neologisms, each more of an impromptu book-organizing term rather than purporting that it is actually used. In real life the term is so vague with such inconsistent meanings that it is meaningless. Further, no group or philosophy self-identifies as such. And even further, the term is universally an oxymoron North8000 (talk) 11:29, 25 September 2011 (UTC)
 * Merge There is no generally accepted in concept called "libertarian conservatism". TFD (talk) 03:24, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Merge to Libertarianism. There is no topic specific to right-skewed libertarianism. Binksternet (talk) 04:37, 25 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Merge to Libertarianism.  For reasons described when I started this section. North8000 (talk) 18:40, 4 July 2012 (UTC)
 * Keep The libertarianism article is a big incoherent mess.  Right libertarianism definitely needs its own article so it can be cleanly discussed. There's a lot more information on right libertarianism than can fit in the general libertarianism article. Big Large Monster (talk) 20:23, 4 July 2012 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the post. My assertion is the "it" does not exist.  Sincerely, North8000 (talk) 23:02, 4 July 2012 (UTC)
 * NP. Sources say it does. Big Large Monster (talk) 23:29, 4 July 2012 (UTC)
 * I don't think that they do. I think that it is just a two word combination that has been used many times with different / ad-hoc meanings.  Sort of like the term "larger animals".  Writers may use that two word sequence (in many different ways) to organize their presentations discussion on animals, but it does not cover any specific topic.  And, from what I have seen, the "sources" are participants regarding this term, they are not covering the term. Sincerely, North8000 (talk) 14:11, 23 August 2012 (UTC)


 * Merge. The two-word combination is just like "tall buildings" or "fine restaurants"; it is only used to describe a general assessment of a minor skewing of the main topic "libertarianism". It is not a separate topic. Binksternet (talk) 05:20, 24 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Keep The term is used to distinguish pro-capitalist libertarianism, e.g., of Murray, from anti-capitalist libertarianism. TFD (talk) 05:29, 24 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Should we possibly cover it only as a term? E.G. the history of the term, and who uses it with what meanings? North8000 (talk) 11:57, 26 August 2012 (UTC)


 * Keep unless both the Right- and Left- articles are merged to Libertarianism. I second TFD's position, plus I simply don't see why Left-libertarianism would still deserve its own article if Right-libertarianism is deleted or merged. You say no one identifies themselves as a "right-libertarian". Yes, that's probably true, but then again how many individuals out there actually call themselves as "left-libertarian"? ("Libertarian socialist" and similar terms perhaps, but not "left-libertarian"). To my knowledge, libertarians tend to mostly identify themselves as "libertarian", regardless of whether they're of the common ownership, collectivist, socialist wing or the propertarian, individualist, capitalist wing. --Adam9389 (talk) 15:12, 21 October 2012 (UTC)
 * Your whole argument sees to related to giving equal treatment to the right and left libertarianism articles rather than on the issues at this article. You could be right that both should be deleted. I brought it up only on this one because I know more about what's here than what's in the left-libertarian article.  And, if there is any concern of bias, under all of those fragmented inconsistent definitions of "right libertarianism", that's  what I am.  Sincerely, North8000 (talk) 12:43, 22 October 2012 (UTC)


 * Keep. Right-libertarianism is very much a thing (as is left-libertarianism). Byelf2007 (talk) 23 October 2012


 * First, if there is any question of bias, I think that under any of the widely varying definitions used, I'm a "right libertarian". And my opinion is that the right libertarian article should get deleted (or renamed/divided/restructured) and the left libertarian one should probably be kept. I see it that the term "right libertarianism" is not really in use except on and ad hoc basis is, with varying ad hoc meanings by authors to organize their books.  Sort of like one author dividing their dog book into small, medium and big dogs, and another author dividing their dog book into small, big and really big dogs.  IMO that should not be a basis for creating a Wikipedia dog article titled "Big dogs". Byelf2007, I have seen you to be a brilliant editor on libertarian articles and we see oppositely on this topic. Perhaps we can have a more thorough conversation here to really sort this out? North8000 (talk) 12:40, 19 November 2012 (UTC)
 * What would you re-name it as? TFD (talk) 19:53, 19 November 2012 (UTC)
 * I don't have a good idea because I believe that this article is about some very different things. North8000 (talk) 01:28, 20 November 2012 (UTC)


 * If there is any question of bias, I am also probably a "right libertarian", although I don't care for the name.


 * North8000, I think I get what you're saying. Like: "There's a clear group of philosophies that have been called 'left-libertarian' by its proponents, and then people said 'oh, so I guess there's a right-libertarianism also, because there has to be if there's a 'left libertarianism', so I guess the 'right-libertarians' will be the non-left-libertarians', but that's not a legitimate reason to have a 'right-libertarianism' article when there hasn't been this clearly defined group of philosophies with its proponents calling themselves 'right-libertarian'.


 * Do I have that about right?


 * It's a good point, and something I've thought about it the past.


 * I have a couple ideas. One, we have "libertarian conservatism" stay the same (and it becomes the de facto 'right-libertarianism' ; 'right-libertarianism' redirects there). Two, we re-name "right-libertarianism" to "capitalist libertarianism" or "free market libertarianism" or "laissez-faire libertarianism". I think this will distinguish the current 'right-libertarianism' (whatever we call it) from 'libertarian conservatism' better.


 * Whaddaya think? I'm interested in other proposals, but I'm definitely opposed to a merger. Rand Paul style watered-down-libertarian-ish conservatism is very different from Randian/Rothbardian pure uncut libertarianism. Byelf2007 (talk) 20 November 2012


 * All of those sound like good ideas; they are all terms that have specific meanings, unlike "right libertarianism" Possible the article should be split into two or three of those strands that you suggested. North8000 (talk) 02:50, 20 November 2012 (UTC)
 * It is clearly defined in "Libertarianism", "There exist three major camps in libertarian thought: right-libertarianism, socialist libertarianism, and left-libertarianism.... Since the 1950s, libertarianism in the United States has been associated almost exclusively with right libertarianism...."  I think the problem is that in the US libertarianism means right-libertarianism, and the term right-libertarianism is not used.  I imagine that you consider yourself a libertarian, not a right libertarian and also that you see it as a coherent belief system that merits its own article.  Notice that in the US liberalism and conservatism, left and right, also have different meanings from those used in the rest of the world.  Rather than argue over whose definition is right, we resolve the issue through disambiguation.  TFD (talk) 18:17, 20 November 2012 (UTC)
 * If it was/is a "coherent belief system" then I would certainly want it to be an article.  But I see nothing even remotely resembling that in the article. Even a lower bar than that would be fine. (e.g. common tenets of multiple belief systems, but which distinguish right libertarianism.  Sincerely, North8000 (talk) 22:04, 20 November 2012 (UTC)

Process notes
Rather than doing an AFD process, I submit that we advertise the question a bit and then give it a few months to gather input (like until December 1 or January 1) and then go from there. North8000 (talk) 10:26, 24 August 2012 (UTC)
 * I think that Right-libertarianism and Left-libertarianism should be considered at the same time. --Guy Macon (talk) 12:33, 24 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Could be.  But this one I felt sure on, and the "left" one appeared to be more of a question. North8000 (talk) 13:13, 24 August 2012 (UTC)

Finding better sources
After moving Vallentyne up as "more academic" I thought I'd see if there were more details worth adding. I guess I haven't looked at Vallentyne article since he changed it in 2010, and was reminded about how abstruse, to the point of sometimes being misleading, the rest of the article is. Some things just found: Well, that's enough fun for the last hour and for now - will add more later. CarolMooreDC 21:09, 27 December 2012 (UTC)
 * long interesting article by Rothbard from 1971 using and describing the term way back in 1971 - and published by a peacenik publication.
 * The Radical Right in Western Europe: A Comparative Analysis - Page 27 - also rather abstruse
 * The Social History of Crime and Punishment in America: An Encyclopedia, whole lib movement as "right-libertarian"
 * Encyclopedia of Political Theory contrasts 3 types of libertarianism, right, left and consequentialist; interesting

This article needs to be re-done.
The first section gives a definition of left libertarianism for contrast but doesn't give a definition of right libertarianism which is frankly, odd. All it says is that it favors capitalism which a numerous political thoughts also subscribe to including certain forms of left libertarian so, that is very weak and needs to be changed. Secondly, there is a vast amount of important information left out of this article such as other contributors have mentioned. Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 97.95.129.245 (talk) 07:09, 26 August 2012 (UTC)
 * See above. I think that most editors consider this to be so fundamentally flawed that they don't waste time editing it. North8000 (talk) 11:54, 26 August 2012 (UTC)
 * I haven't looked at this article lately and didn't know how badly it had drifted. It was in MUCH better shape in mid 2011 - as in this version, accurately saying it is a phrased used to describe some forms of libertarianism, but not an actual ideology proposed by, or descriptor used by, most people. As opposed to "Old Right" which is.) If anyone can be found who calls themself one, add it; I only see one non-old right person thus described.  Anyway - After that a lot of WP:OR was added.  And the first sentence totally misused Vallentyne, and I don't know other references have been abused since then. I propose we just go back to that version, adding or correcting anything obviously in error or helpful to the article. CarolMooreDC 21:40, 2 December 2012 (UTC)
 * Agree, I think that it was better then. It was more realistic, basically describing the uses of the term rather than implying an underlying meaning. North8000 (talk) 21:48, 2 December 2012 (UTC)
 * Hearing no objections, I'll do it in a few days. CarolMooreDC 22:07, 4 December 2012 (UTC)
 * Agree. If somebody feels that some subsequent item was good they could put it in, IMO using the older better version as a starting point. And, IMHO an article which covers it more as a term (e.g. including the various meanings ascribed to it) (and yes, contrary to common mis-quotes of policy, that is both common and allowed in Wikipedia) would solve the problems driving the merge/delete discussion.  North8000 (talk) 11:57, 5 December 2012 (UTC)

Ok, I took some time, and as I write in edit summary revert to earlier version without all the WP:Original research and barely relevant material and clean that up. I removed sections for now because doesn't seem to warrant it. I DO think there needs to be more research into other uses of the term by non-libertarians just to show that it is used a lot in the general sense and maybe more research will make sectioning clearer. Here's the link to search in books google for "right-libertarian." CarolMooreDC 07:19, 26 December 2012 (UTC)
 * Nice work. I think that you took the article from "fundamentally flawed "  to "fundamentally informative". North8000 (talk)
 * Thanks. Anyone who disagrees should discuss it here ala WP:BRD CarolMooreDC 15:07, 27 December 2012 (UTC)


 * The article still has a ways to go, but this is definitely a start and I applaud your work, Carol. The various strains of free-market libertarianism has as rich an intellectual tradition as the left-libertarian forms and I hope we can one day convey that through this article. I'll do some editing myself here and there -- small polishes at first, just to make it that much more informative. Of course, we can discuss on here the merits of any changes I make. Then eventually I'll dig up some solid sources and see what larger improvements I can make, though I don't know how soon I'll be able to get to that. I think the most glaring problem right now with the information we do have in the article is the fact that it's still largely defined by the left-libertarians. There's a fundamental problem with an article when the ideology it's trying to articulate is defined almost exclusively by outspoken opponents of it. Of course, I know the difficult part of that is the fact that almost all "right-libertarian" theorists and organizations identify as libertarian or classical liberal rather than as "right-libertarian," so that's going to make sourcing definitions difficult. For example, many would classify the U.S. Libertarian Party (and many others, in fact) as "right-libertarian" because of their laissez-faire views, but would it be proper to use their definitions of the concept here? (the question is partly rhetorical) --Adam9389 (talk), 18:40, 27 December 2012 (UTC)


 * The thing is it really is a term which pro-property libertarians apply here and there over time in a very unsystematic way, because they mostly think of themselves as "libertarians," even as "left-libertarians" enjoy using the term to make pro-property libertarians look bad. I realized that Vallyntne is in effect doing just that, as are all the lefties who have just one sentence in current article, and some of other sources below.  We should keep our eyes open for a WP:RS that explains the actual phenomena and somehow section off pro-property uses of the term from left-libertarian uses. This might at least keep it less confusing for people. Check out sources below for more ideas. CarolMooreDC 03:12, 28 December 2012 (UTC)


 * Maybe I'll take some time to do this today. I don't know if it will discourge User:T___ from reverting back to his rejected version. Sigh. CarolMooreDC 19:39, 26 January 2013 (UTC)

Actual philosophy or just a term
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:


 * ... in addition to the better-known version of libertarianism—right-libertarianism—there is also a version known as “left-libertarianism”. Both endorse full self-ownership, but they differ with respect to the powers agents have to appropriate unowned natural resources (land, air, water, minerals, etc.). Right-libertarianism holds that typically such resources may be appropriated by the first person who discovers them, mixes her labor with them, or merely claims them—without the consent of others, and with little or no payment to them. (bold mark-up added for Wikipedia discussion)

Not only is it actually a philosophy (or current of thought within a philosophy), it seems to be the better known variant. --Uncle Ed (talk) 15:46, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

What has been seen in the years here on the topic is that "right libertarian" has so many different meanings in uses, most of them ad hoc, that it has no real meaning. The fact that you yourself have just given two conflicting meanings (above, and as a synonym for "libertarian conservatism"  at that article) is close-to-home evidence of that. Sincerely, North8000 (talk) 16:13, 30 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Right libertarianism is basically what you mean when you say libertarianism. Left and right libertarianism are branches of the same ideology.  TFD (talk) 16:27, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I think I agree with you 95%.  The 5% is what can be taken to imply that there is a single meaning for "right libertarianism".   Sincerely, North8000 (talk) 17:56, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * We follow WP:DISAMBIG. While terms can have different meanings, articles can only be about one topic, in this case using only one general defintion, although we can mention other definitions.  Based on previous discussions, your concern is that this article should be the main libertarian article.  However, modern right and left libertarianism share a number of sources and writers and therefore are versions of the same ideology.  That may seem odd - but then the left and right wing versions of conservatism, liberalism, socialism and christian democracy are often far apart as well.  TFD (talk) 18:12, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I think you misunderstand. The problem was people were trying to say that "right libertarianism" is itself a philosophy which large numbers of notable people self-identify with. That is what some people were trying to write it as without a large body of high quality WP:RS saying so. I put in the best I could find and it wasn't much. CarolMooreDC &#x1f5fd; 19:10, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * @TFD I'm not following what you are getting at. But an article can sometimes be about a word, and be about a word with multiple closely related meanings, and I think that that is the most applicable way to see this article. North8000 (talk) 19:21, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

New structure
OK, last night I had a bright idea for restructuring after a) seeing the "article needs lead" tag and b) seeing that there still was confusion about the use of the term. So I went with it, but then got too tired to come here and discuss and busy today. Couple points, numbered, so just reply with number.
 * Re: User:KhabarNegar's edits to lead. I didn't realize at first there is a rather large language problem and thought that's why s//he wrote on my talk page (here) that s/he was not going to work on this article. Anyway, sources put into the lead sources either are not WP:RS or probably will not verify the assertion that the authors are discussing what they call "right-libertarianism". Please provide evidence they do, per "Verification needed" tag. FYI, see this policy: No original research: To demonstrate that you are not adding OR, you must be able to cite reliable, published sources that are directly related to the topic of the article, and directly support the material being presented.
 * 1) I don't know if this is the best way to structure the sections, but didn't get doubts til near the end, so all I can do is throw it out there and see what happens.
 * 2) I also haven't done any research into other uses of sources that actually use that term since the last time I did a lot of work on it and hope to do soon. Or other editors can go for it! :-) CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 01:38, 10 June 2013 (UTC)
 * about part1 which is about me, Carol in that two books Right libertarian is described in details. The exact word of Right Libertarianism. And about being WP:RS Carol they are at last better than no source and WP:OrginalResearch, Please check these books "The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Law edited by Andrei Marmor", "Natural Rights Liberalism from Locke to Nozick: Volume 22, Part 1 edited by Ellen Frankel Paul, Fred D. Miller, Jeffrey Paul" . Dear Carolmooredc, even in the WP:ORs, probably you should not use the “capitalism” as a synonym for favoring free markets, but that we may say we even oppose that kind of “capitalism,” because of course free market is not capitalism, We can expect any advanced libertarian society to be “capitalist” in that it would have an industrial, productive economy where the means of production is privately owned, characterized by the division and specialization of labor but capitalism in the history have shown a lots of time its trying to damage the real free market, the ones who see Right Libertarianism as Capitalism are those which have basically deep left wing bias, anyone disagree about this? We may say anarcho-libertarian instead of anarcho-capitalist, although I should tell I am against WP:OR in first place but if you guys think we have to, so this term is much more related.
 * The only little way that we may use capitalism to refer to a catallactic aspect of the libertarian, free society, is while making it clear that Libertarianism is oppose concentrations of corporate power and etc.
 * I don't think Right Libertarian is capitalism, just like as we don't use “socialism,” for left-libertarians propose...
 * Just as saying Right Libertarianism is “capitalist” as you guys put it again & again might imply pro-corporatist sentiments the question here which you may answer is, Right Libertarianism is really in favor of concentrations of corporate power? or not? Please someone answer this.
 * I really cant figure it, so you guys please help. when Libertarianism is oppose corporatism then how Right Libertarianism can be pro-corporatist, so of course anyone who writes in this article should have this in mind. To First try to not directly and forcefully connect capitalism to right libertarianism, Second if he/she have to use the word capitalist the better use anarcho-libertarian instead, At last if he/she have nothing else to do to use the word Capitalists in the article then at least he/she may mention that Libertarianism is oppose concentrations of corporate power and Right Libertarians also. Have a good day, and let all of us learn, we all may be wrong about something :) We(I) may learn from each other, KhabarNegar (talk) 12:02, 10 June 2013 (UTC)


 * My point (which is why this article was a mess until Carolmooredc cleaned it up) is that the uses of the phrase are so varied (and ad hoc) that it has no particular meaning, and thus does not cover any one subject. Sort of like the term "fast car", "worthy people" etc..  And so any wording that infers that there is a single meaning is false and at conflict with sources.  North8000 (talk) 14:10, 10 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Again you need to read WP:DISAMBIG. Encyclopedia articles are not about what terms mean, that is why we have dictionaries.  Georgia for example can refer to a state in the U.S., a nation in Eurasia, various towns, ships  and songs and a girl's name.  That does not mean that Wikipedia editors are baffled about how to write articles about "Georgia."  TFD (talk) 19:31, 10 June 2013 (UTC)
 * If what you said were always true, then this article would not exist. But, per Wikipedia is not a dictionary it is not always true.    Sometimes a word can be encyclopedic topic.   Especially the closely related meanings of the term. Since you gave an example that included geography, Macedonia (terminology) is an example of this.    North8000 (talk) 20:08, 10 June 2013 (UTC)


 * The topic is what you call "libertarianism." Surely that deserves an article.  TFD (talk) 20:53, 10 June 2013 (UTC)
 * I don't understand what you mean. What I call libertarianism is all of the meanings in the Libertarianism article. And the most common US form (if that's what you mean) is simply prioritizing more freedom, and smaller and less intrusive government. End of description.  Nothing in there about property etc.  And I know of no specific name for it other than libertarian/libertarianism. North8000 (talk) 21:22, 10 June 2013 (UTC)
 * You said, "I know of no specific name for [the most common US form] other than libertarian/libertarianism." Certainly that form deserves an article or do you think that the differences between the International Workers of the World and the Libertarian Party of the US is too trivial to require a separate article?  It seems to me that your only real concern is one of semantics.  You think that your version of libertarianism should be called simply libertarianism.  TFD (talk) 21:56, 10 June 2013 (UTC)
 * No, it would be great, (although USLP is a bad description of common US libertarianism) if only we had a word for it. :-).    We're getting into a pretty huge topic here, albeit fun and interesting. North8000 (talk) 22:00, 10 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Here's an interesting experiment. Tranlate libertarianism into various languages and see what the article on libertarianism says. Starting with "libertarismo" at Spanish Wikipedia. CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 23:11, 10 June 2013 (UTC)

The French article, "Libertarianisme" says, The word "libertarien" is the French adaptation of the English word "libertarian" itself an English translation of the French "libertaire." This neologism was coined to distinguish libertarians from liberals in the United States". "Libertaire" is an "ideology of collectivism and egalitarianism."  Google translates both "libertarien" and "libertaire" as "libertarian."  While the English Wikipedia article goes to ""Libertarianisme" when one clicks "French", both French articles go to "Libertarianism" when one clicks "English." TFD (talk) 18:23, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
 * I think that bottom line is that "libertarianism" is a word that has many different meanings...., but related by sharing about 3 common tenets (prioritizing freedom, and smaller and less intrusive/powerful government.) And outside of the US (and the tiny minority of US libertarians in the USLP) those meanings are various relatively complex and complete philosophies. But for the approx 60,000,000 US "vague libertarians" (and the other 200,000,00 Americans who use the term) it means ONLY  prioritizing freedom, and smaller and less intrusive/powerful government, (roughly = classical liberalism) NOT a complete philosophy with views on property, anarchism, pro/anti corporatists, capitalism,  etc  etc.  Those latter questions are considered irrelevant to the term.   North8000 (talk) 21:19, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
 * You seem to have difficulty in understanding what I have already explained to you, so I will explain it once again in the hopeful intention that you will understand. Terms may have different meanings and the same terms may be described by different words.  For example, "Mars" may refer to a Roman god or to a planet.  The god may be called "Mars" or "Ares."  But reasonably intelligent editors are not confused and baffled that the same "topic" can have different names and that the same word can refer to different topics.  Why do you have a difficulty understanding that?  TFD (talk) 02:57, 12 June 2013 (UTC)
 * I fully understand and agree with that but don't see it as supporting either side of the debate/discussion. I think I see how you are implying relevancy, and believe that that "implying relevancy" is in error. North8000 (talk) 13:55, 12 June 2013 (UTC)

Lead and other sources must use "right libertarian"
It is correct we need a source for each word - even if it's just one of the sources in each paragraph of like info. The truth is it is used rarely by libertarians themselves, but frequently by both leftists and liberals to knock pro-property libertarians, if for somewhat different reasons. Therefore actually it may be hard to find sources that say "right libertarians" are for individual liberty or individual rights! CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 20:36, 22 May 2013 (UTC)
 * OK, I just took out a lot of sources that did not mention "right libertarianism", most of which were not WP:RS anyway, being somebody's self-published essay or some minor group's writings. We can't try to impose "libertarianism" on the mere term "right-libertarianism." We can't try to create an ideology where one doesn't exist. CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 03:05, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * , Come on! :) Carol, At least they are sources which talk about Libertarianism, They are so much better than anyone coming here put his own Idea into article(Mostly negative ones), Its a choose between text without any source and text which at least have some place for further reading. You may add "Citation needed" to them but why remove them and put back what user themselves have written... I think when there is no source and there is a text, so a source even which is not that much WP:RS is better that no source at all... I don't know may be I'm wrong. but I don't like anyone which is in bad mood & have the feeling comes here give this article some words as he/she likes and feel satisfied and go. also please tell me which source you think is that bad which is better not to be, and no source is better than that. I added the "Citation needed" so till someone find better sources and replace them. Anything without source should be removed, right now the lead paragraph of this article is just about some selected parts of the economic views, not acceptable. Why these sources are worse than no source? Written by: Murray N. Rothbard or Written by: Roderick T. Long or Written by: Roderick Long or From: The Libertarian or From: Libertarians for Life or From: The San Diego Libertarian Party or From: Libertarian Party of Canada or From: The Libertarian BUT exactly in next paragraph a claim in a book(offline one) by Unknown author which the claim is actually is obviously against Right Libertarians can remain without any question? KhabarNegar (talk) 08:23, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * First, putting back your material before discussing is WP:Edit warring as is putting citation notices on every sentence - see Do not disrupt Wikipedia to illustrate a point. Please revert your edits and trying to understand the point that is being made; don't make others do it for you.
 * As discussed on this talk page over and over, "Right-libertarianism" is not a philosophy, it is a term that is used by some to describe views that are more pro-property (and a few other differences) than "left-libertarianism" - or elsewise by Sam Konkin. However, while people identify themselves as "left-libertarians", no one really notable calls themselve a "right-libertarian."
 * Even when Rothbard used the term way back in 1971 he put it in quotes, since he really was referring more to how it was being discussed than what he thought was the best descriptor. (He did like "Old Right".) And I don't see evidence he continued to use it for the next 24 years.
 * As for refs, we should not have to put "Citation needed by reliable source" in there or that the citation has to have "Right-libertarianism" in it for experienced editors to understand that point. Maybe I have to look for such a tag?
 * FYI, see libertarianism article where there's the possibility of calling pro-property libertarianism "modern Libertarianism." The phrase to use has not been decided on; but this one has been rejected and thus can't be reliably sourced to self-described notable libertarians. CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 15:02, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * I agree with Carolmooredc. North8000 (talk) 15:41, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * All articles about ideologies have a similar problem, that there are various terms used to describe the same thing, while the same terms may describe different things. For example some sources use the term liberalism to refer to free market liberalism, others to welfare liberalism, others to both.  Since articles are about topics, not definitions, we can use sources that use different terms to describe the same topic.  TFD (talk) 16:14, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Perhaps too much wikipedia today, but I don't quite get your point. Could you apply to this article? Thanks. CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 16:26, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * The topic is libertarianism in the tradition of Nolan, Rothbard, etc. They call themselves libertarians as do most sources for them.  So there is no reason not to use sources that do not use the term "right libertarianism", as long as it is clear that they are writing about this tradition.
 * Modern American liberalism presents a similar issue. It is in the tradition of the New Deal, the Great Society, etc.  However they call themselves liberals as do most sources for them.  So there is no reason not to use sources that do not use the term "modern American liberalism", as long as it is clear that they are writing about this tradition.
 * TFD (talk) 17:18, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * IMO this is a two word sequence that has only ad hoc meanings, i.e. no consistent meaning or even consistent set of meanings. And so the best thing to do would be to delete the article.   Plan "B" would be to treat and cover it as a term (including it's usages), which is allowable in Wikipedia and is what I think that this article does. I think that it would be impossible to treat it as a topic because the term has a zillion (only) ad hoc meanings and so it does not define a topic. North8000 (talk) 17:24, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * OK, TFD, your triple negatives just blew my mind: no reason not to use sources that do not use the term "right libertarianism" topic vs term. Anyway, I don't think the issue is whether to use a source that happens to use the phrase right libertarian when discussion the prop-property libs.
 * As North8000 explains, its more about term vs. topic, and this is a term with various mostly related meanings and uses, but not an "ideology". The problem is User:KhabarNegar hasn't figured that out and is trying to make the article about pro-property libertarianism. I wish someone would just write a 2 billion best seller and then soon enough we'd know what version won out. (And it might not have left or right in it anyway. Reminder to self...)
 * Can others at least explain the poor sourcing and misuse of citations issues to him. Or remove the problems. He doesn't believe me. CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 18:23, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * (While I was writing someone changed the page)I am disagree with this point of view which is obviously the reason this problem has happened: ""Right-libertarianism" is not a philosophy, it is a term that is used by some to describe views that are more pro-property " said by Carol. Ofcourse it is wrong, its her understanding of this topic. Ofcourse Libertarianism is a philosophy, & Ofcourse Right Libertarianism is a subbranch of this philosophy. It is a philosophy, & It is not "to describe views that are more pro-property"! ...
 * Carol continued "However, while people identify themselves as "left-libertarians", no one really notable calls themselves a "right-libertarian."" again It is wrong. I think this view is because Carol is just seeing U.S.A political environment. There are people actually the real first Libertarians which, right-now are considered as Right Libertarians. I will accept every single claim by Carol if she provide sources for them, but when there is no source how she gave herself power to tell what is Right Libertarian and what is not, plus her view about Right Libertarian is wrong in the first place.
 * This one is very interesting: "Even when Rothbard used the term way back in 1971 he put it in quotes, since he really was referring more to how it was being discussed than what he thought was the best descriptor. (He did like "Old Right".) And I don't see evidence he continued to use it for the next 24 years." More Catholic Than The Pope, Rothbard should came ask Carol what Right Libertarianism is.
 * KhabarNegar (talk) 18:34, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * At last I don't care about this anymore because I got warning to become blocked :)), But just always try to see a philosophy in an International point of view. Right Libertarianism as not what people of one country think is. Every political philosophy should described as the first founders of that philosophy describe that. not what a media describe for a population. I don't care anymore you may change the article as just like Right Libertarians are Evil capitalist, and stay happy with that. You may change the lead and put anything you like on that. Good Bye and have fun.KhabarNegar (talk) 18:41, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Feel free to fix the page Carol, That citation needed is an answer to your action of deleting these text and puting a text without any source plus a citation needed sign, here. ByeKhabarNegar (talk) 18:55, 8 June 2013 (UTC)


 * Carol, I will try again. "Right libertarianism" is what North8000, members of the Libertarian Party and others mean when they say "libertarianism."  Libertarianism may also refer to the views of Noam Chomsky or of various left-wing movements, especially in Europe.  Or it can refer to the broader tradition that includes both branches.  These are three separate but related topics and whatever we choose to call them, they need separate articles.  That different writers will use different terms to refer to the same topic, or the same term to refer to different terms should not confuse us, because we are not writing a dictionary.  The relevant guideline is WP:DISAMBIG.  TFD (talk) 21:05, 8 June 2013 (UTC)


 * You mean "right libertarianism" as described by a few WP:RS sources we scrounged around to put in here? A term often used as a slur to discredit pro-property libertarians. (Dang, need a WP:RS to explicitly say that!) A term explicitly rejected by a selection of libertarians here who represent tens of thousands who reject the term. And it's good to keep looking for newer rejections.
 * Left libertarians or libertarian socialists or libertarian anarchists often use that descriptor; pro-property ones usually do not (though they may use conservative, but even there their actual politics usually aren't that much different, except for some hawk "Libertarian" republicans.")
 * Obviously the breast beating battle for dominance of the territory of word libertarian will continue :=), but let's not impose terms on people who don't use them and even reject them. CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 21:39, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * If you do not like the name of the article, then suggest a different one. TFD (talk) 22:18, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Another name for what? There is no subject here, just a phrase. North8000 (talk) 23:19, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * What "has been equated with libertarianism in general in the United States." Are you familiar with Nolan, Rothbard, Paul, the Libertarian Party of the US etc., or do you just fail to see any difference between them and Chomsky?  TFD (talk) 23:40, 8 June 2013 (UTC)
 * The point is what do you call the different groups. Enclosed is pretty much what people have found that's WP:RS describing that group - or any one who calls themselves a libertarian and has a fairly broad view of private property - with that phrase. Maybe not even enough to build an article on? And don't call me one for a whole bunch of reasons I won't soapbox... them's fighting words...CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 01:58, 9 June 2013 (UTC)

Refs failed verification
The following refs provided by User:KhabarNegar in the lead (without page numbers) failed verification for following reasons: Obviously we don't leave nonverified material in the encyclopedia. CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 19:32, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
 * The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Law edited by Andrei Marmor: This is just from the Peter Vallentyne article in the book, pg 290-301 and two examples of his using "right libertarian" to describe pro-property libertarianism, which he already does in the article and more as a critic; we could expand what we have on him, but his views are not definitive
 * Natural Rights Liberalism from Locke to Nozick: Volume 22, Part 1 has lots of mentions of libertarianism but none of "right libertarianism" (Does repeatedly mention “hard” libertarianism)
 * http://praxeology.net/libertariannation/a/f22l1.html Doesn't mention "right libertarianism"; author WP:RS, not site
 * http://www.libertarian.ca/  Doesn’t mention right libertarianism; only WP:RS for own views
 * http://sdlp.org/faq Doesn’t mention right libertarianism:only WP:RS for own view


 * Again, this is an encyclopedia, not a dictionary. The fact that different writers will use different terms to refer to the same thing does not mean we should exclude them.  For example, most sources for "Modern American liberalism" use the term "liberalism".  On the other hand, some writers referring to liberalism in modern America classify US conservatism as liberalism.  TFD (talk) 19:47, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Then I would say redirect this article to Libertarianism and move anything of use into that article. That would be fine with me. It certainly would help clear up User:KhabarNegar's confusion. Is there a similar problem with "left libertarianism"? CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 20:25, 11 June 2013 (UTC)


 * People This is what that will happen when you do not stand against a Bully,
 * Case No.1 She mentioned is her own view and its WP:Ownership.
 * Case No.2 by her is lie, I'm talking about this: "* Natural Rights Liberalism from Locke to Nozick: Volume 22, Part 1 has lots of mentions of libertarianism but none of "right libertarianism" (Does repeatedly mention “hard” libertarianism)" This is a lie, and again Bullying, every one can check this fact.
 * Last word CarolMooreDC if you once again add a WP:OR there would be no tolerate by me anymore. KhabarNegar (talk) 20:13, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Please point out page where Natural Rights Liberalism from Locke to Nozick: Volume 22, Part 1 uses "right libertarianism." CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 20:25, 11 June 2013 (UTC)


 * (someone changed the page before this from me I will tell you where are those "right libertarianisms" in a minute:) if you want to own the article Right Libertarianism and you do not want anyone bother you and your bias, That is OK! but DO NOT use the Defamation Technique or attacking and harassment. I know I should not wast my time on this article when there is such editor focusing on that. But the last word, try to think big, don't destroy the facts and reality to gain cheap ready prizes, sorry I have told I will not join this article again because of you being here, but I broke my promise But this time I really don't want to see you again, because I have no time to follow harassment and defamation, You won, Now celebrate, Good bye, KhabarNegar (talk) 20:33, 11 June 2013 (UTC)


 * Your inaccurate personal attacks aside, do you think that if the article just redirected to Libertarianism with a short subsection saying that the term was used by some to describe pro-property libertarians, but that some libertarians object to "Right-libertarianism" that that would make you happy? CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 20:38, 11 June 2013 (UTC)


 * First of all (please do check these, ) and then to answer the question, The problem is actually there is no Left or Right libertarianism in basic. This left and right is made in few countries because of their political systems. There is Libertarianism nothing else. BUT unfortunately we can not merge these three, Why because the main Libertarianism is now more similar to Right Libertarianism than to the "word" Libertarianism!
 * I mean New-Libertarianism is changed from the main old libertarianism, especially in some few (important) countries, so a merge will actually just vanish what the real libertarianism is.
 * Surely Libertarianism(The Right Libertarianism) is not in support of current model of Corporatism so that's why we should not try to focus on Right Libertarianism being Capitalism.
 * If we want to focus the different between Right and Left libertarianism can be the more focus Right Libertarianism put on less and small and limited Governmental interfere, & more Personal Individual responsibilities. That is the different between Right and Left libertarianism. although Left Libertarianism is something so new and the Old main Libertarianism was this new Right Libertarianism. You see the point? Maybe some people made Right Libertarianism so to be in contrast with left libertarianism, although there no such thing both. But now you can not remove them from Wikipedia, why because there are some views outside in the world that the only thing we can call them is Left Libertarians and so Right Libertarians, That is the point. Left Libertarian is not Libertarianism and Right Libertarian is not something more than the Libertarian it self. I wish you positive energy, & I promise I will not join this article that much anymore because it makes me feel bad. Thanks KhabarNegar (talk) 20:58, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Both those links (from Natural Rights Liberalism from Locke to Nozick: Volume 24, Part 1 are Peter Vallentyne who already is mentioned and is a left wing socialist type so of course he wants to emphasize "right wing".
 * Right libertarianism is a word used by a few academics [and] a lot of leftists who don't like any kind of capitalism. But except in those couple examples I gave of specific uses of "right libertarianism" pro-Property libertarians do NOT use the term and many would reject it, though I just show a few examples. We go by what a preponderance of refs show. Do a news archive search of libertarianism and most of the stories in English show they are regarding proproperty libertarianism. Maybe you are in a country where that is not true.  CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 23:16, 11 June 2013 (UTC)

A Cocker Cpaniel is unaware of the name by which we classify it, yet we do not just call it a dog. SPECIFICO talk  23:19, 11 June 2013 (UTC)
 * That analogy is not applicable on several levels. A dog doesn't have the intelligence to identify or self-identify with classifications.  Second it incorrectly implies that there is some unified classification as such. Third, it implies that there is some authoritative classification as such.
 * Comments on the general topic add several more onto that. In addition to the already mentioned items, by the common usage where there are huge numbers (i.e. estimates  run in the ballpark of 60 million in the US it is not only not the common name, it is an oxymoron. North8000 (talk) 02:22, 12 June 2013 (UTC)
 * Not sure I can agree on this. We edit according to the impartial third party view, not the subjective view of those we describe.  It's like writing about addicts or criminals.  They may deny their behavior, they may rationalize it, or whatever.  But as editors of the encyclopedia, we would still describe it objectively, despite their denials.   SPECIFICO  talk  02:44, 12 June 2013 (UTC)
 * That's right, SPECIFICO. And to stay impartial, we edit in light of WP:OR: To demonstrate that you are not adding OR, you must be able to cite reliable, published sources that are directly related to the topic of the article, and directly support the material being presented. So in an article about "right libertarianism" we only use the few dozen refs that use that term, not the thousands that use "libertarianism" to mean pro-property libertarianism.  Or those that talk about "left libertarianism", another variation on "libertarianism." CarolMooreDC - talkie talkie &#x1f5fd; 22:34, 12 June 2013 (UTC)

"Right-libertarian"
What this article describes is what is generally accepted as what libertarianism is, which is very much not right-wing. Capitalism is not advocated by the right-wing, as, for example, Italian fascists opposed capitalism. Capitalism is the opposite of authoritarianism. Is this website actively dedicated to the destruction of the mind, by reporting statements that conflict with factual reality? Are you under the assumption that a collective of wrong definitions overwrite factual basis? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.134.96.49 (talk • contribs) 21:00, 23 August 2014


 * Simply stated, a libertarian theory moves from “right” to “left” the more it insists on constraints aimed at preserving some kind of equality. &mdash; goethean 21:41, 23 August 2014 (UTC)


 * The article does not say right-libertarianism is right wing. It could be that reliable sources do not reflect factual reality, but that is an issue to discuss at policy.  TFD (talk) 22:18, 23 August 2014 (UTC)

The fact is, "right-libertarian" is a term used by enemies of free market sticky property libertarianism. Geo-libertarians use the term to contrast their land rent beliefs with libertarianism, and socialists use it to contrast with libertarian socialism. Some anarcho-capitalists favoring socialist jargon ("free market anti-capitalist" left libertarians, a la SEKIII and Roderick Long) use "right-libertarian" to mean people who fall for right conflationism. But virtually no one self-labels as "right libertarian." This should be stated in the article. PhilLiberty (talk) 22:10, 3 October 2014 (UTC)


 * You need a source that supports your opinion. Also, if you have a better term for them, can you please provide it.  I find it ironic too that someone who objects to their type of libertarians being called right-wing has no hesitation in calling the other type left-wing.  TFD (talk) 13:23, 4 October 2014 (UTC)


 * PhilLiberty, I think you are correct that we should make it known that people don't self-identify as right-libertarian; rather, right-libertarian is a term employed by encyclopaedia contributors (as well as "enemies of free market sticky property libertarianism") to distinguish the free-market libertarianism popularized in the USA—the libertarianism that advocates private appropriation and proprietorship without regard for the well-being of others—from more egalitarian currents. Most left-libertarians don't identify as such either, but use the term as a higher-level classification for "the whole non-statist, horizontalist or decentralist Left," (Carson 2014) separating their libertarianism/anarchism from that of the neoliberal West.  It's only recently that figures like Philippe Van Parijs, Hillel Steiner, and Peter Vallentyne picked up the term as a self-label.  — MisterDub (talk &#124; contribs) 18:19, 12 November 2014 (UTC)

There is no such a thing as "right" or "left" libertarianism. Libertarianism is beyond right-left dichotomy. Unfortunately, self described leftists see the world in a "right-left" dichotomy. Give them a spherical object. They will find a left and right even in this sphereical object. It's a shame Wikipedia is limited with bigotted leftist youth camps.95.10.101.176 (talk) 21:53, 5 May 2015 (UTC)

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Unless comparison of anarcho-capitalism and minarchism is a sub-topic of right-libertarianism
why does it redirect here? It would make more sense to redirect it to Libertarianism, I think. Smooth alligator (talk) 19:48, 13 October 2017 (UTC)
 * Right-libertarianism addresses the comparison better (in more specific detail) than Libertarianism. As for your repeatedly stated confusion on what anarcho-capitalism and minarchism have to do with "right-libertarianism", the last sentence of the lede is quite concise: "Right-libertarianism includes anarcho-capitalism and laissez-faire, minarchist liberalism." It follows that Right-libertarianism's section would have more specific coverage than the overall Libertarianism topic. Please revert your edit. czar  01:48, 14 October 2017 (UTC)

Discussion that affects this article
There is a discussion / presentation of ideas that affects this article at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Libertarianism Sincerely,  North8000  (talk) 16:27, 24 November 2017 (UTC)

What is the justification for this page ?
Aside from use as a dismissive pejorative - what is the justification for this page & title ? I question the objectivity of this entry, both in content and origin. There are roots of this sort of modern libertarianism in Classical Liberalism, but it is clearly not identical, and not 'right' politically in terms of social policy at all.

It's considered right-wing because of their economic views differing from left-libertarianism. Individualist economics vs. communal economics, especially in regards to property rights. 69.156.128.223 (talk) 05:56, 29 December 2017 (UTC)


 * Mostly agree. The discussion referred to in the previous section was on that topic so I won't duplicate it here. But briefly, that it's not really a cohesive topic, but is a term where we should try to defined the common meanings. North8000 (talk) 01:50, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

Addition of Neoliberal populism section
An identical copy of this substantial new section has just been placed in at least 5 articles. I think that this is good work that needs to be placed somewhere but placing 5 identical copies in 5 articles seems like a bad idea. Probably we should revert and ask them to just put it it in the most relevant article. BTW I plan to do the same with this post in all of those articles. :-) North8000 (talk) 00:00, 10 May 2018 (UTC)

Gefisher2020's recent edits and subsequent removal of them
I almost reverted Gefisher2020's edits myself, mostly for being too much at once and too much removed. But on the other side, I think that it was a significant move forward. I think that the libertarian articles have been too much defined by what (mostly long-dead) philosophers have said (please note that philosophers are acting more as creators than coverers/sources). 's edits moved this more towards practical current meaning. Perhaps we can have both. North8000 (talk) 13:17, 14 September 2018 (UTC)

To crystallize a discussion
This is only To crystallize a discussion. It should not be a "voting" format because it is mathematically defective for such a use. It would probably take a restructured second phase to ask for a consensus. Some possibilities to discuss are:


 * 1) Leave it roughly as is.
 * 2) Reduce it to an article just about the term and the usage of the term.
 * 3) Rename the article
 * 4) Delete the article with no redirect
 * 5) Delete the article with a redirect (no significant move of content)
 * 6) Merge into another article (sort of like #5 except with a significant move of content)

May I suggest commenting on several or all of them?

Sincerely, North8000 (talk) 02:50, 6 August 2019 (UTC)


 * This is a silly way to go about things. You want opinions, OK, #1 is fine, #2 is ridiculous, #3 has already been discussed and did not pass, #4 - take it to AfD, and good luck with that, #5 - redirect to what?, #6 - merge into what? Did that help "crystallize" anything?How about instead of this exercise in futility, you explain what you think should be done about the article, and let us discuss that? Beyond My Ken (talk) 04:01, 6 August 2019 (UTC)
 * My idea was to leave it open to all possibilities without pushing it in any direction by immediately weighing in. No need to denigrate such an idea, whether or not it is optimal. And further, my idea is #2, the one that you felt the need to call "ridiculous"  North8000 (talk) 21:55, 12 August 2019 (UTC)
 * There's no point in stirring up a probably contentious talk page discussion if one doesn't have a purpose in mind. We're not a debating society. Beyond My Ken (talk) 23:00, 12 August 2019 (UTC)
 * The purpose is to decide what to do with this article.  I already made my minor complaint regarding your posts.  From here on out I just wish you the best and if nobody responds then I'll propose something and make a case for it as you are implying I should have done initially. Sincerely, North8000 (talk) 00:27, 13 August 2019 (UTC)

Proposed revisions
So, assuming we keep the current title, here is a proposed introduction to the lede that addresses the points made by the above editors:
 * "Right-libertarianism is a term used to describe both mainstream neo-classical liberalism and the more social and cultural conservative variants, but which all agree on supporting capitalism and property rights, hence are put together and termed right-libertarian vis-à-vis the non-propertarian/anti-propertarian left-libertarianism. The right/right-wing in libertarianism doesn't necessarily refer to the ideology's position on the political spectrum, but rather its position relative to traditional libertarian views regarding property and capital.
 * For this reason, such use of the term is generally rejected by libertarians of this camp, who view themselves as north of center and defer to the Nolan Chart for positioning on a multidimentional scale of political ideology. For them the term refers to the views of someone like Ron Paul, who identifies as a Libertarian, but tends to favor policies that are right-of-center such as abortion and immigration restrictions."

JLMadrigal  @  13:38, 15 August 2019 (UTC)
 * it just seems to be too convulsed; maybe we could add a Nolan chart image in which it's stated how these different libertarians see themselves, etc. Anyway, what's wrong with describing it as a political philosophy that advocate civil liberties,[1] natural law,[6] laissez-faire capitalism and a major reversal of the modern welfare state[7] [and that] strongly support private property rights and defend market distribution of natural resources and private property.[8] Isn't it true?
 * How about changing the sentence which follows from This position is contrasted with that of some versions of left-libertarianism, with which it is compared.[9] to This position is contrasted with that of some versions of left-libertarianism, with which it is compared to, hence the name.[9] Wouldn't it be better and simpler?--95.245.199.21 (talk) 21:12, 15 August 2019 (UTC)
 * I'm not sure there's a consensus in using the phrase has been used by some authors. According to So long as the article starts "... has been used by some authors to refer to...", there is always going to be trouble.--95.245.199.21 (talk) 23:28, 15 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Beginning the article with a Nolan chart would be an excellent choice, because it encompasses both definitions of right-libertarianism, and nicely describes a view of politics espoused by both. It also visually demonstrates that, when the term is used to differentiate "capitalist libertarianism" from "anticapitalist libertarianism", the former is not right of center, but is right of the latter.
 * JLMadrigal  @  00:20, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * You realize that the Nolan chart is not an unbiased representation of the political spectrum, right? It's an inherently right-libertarian way of framing the situation, which frames pro-capitalism as centrist, which left-libertarians vehemently object to, which is why they more often employ a square (rather than diamond) chart where there is a north edge, rather than a north point, and positions along the right of that north edge are right-libertarian/anarcho-capitalist and those along the left of that north edge are left-libertarian/anarcho-socialist. Left-libertarianism/libertarian-socialism cannot be placed on a Nolan chart, because it is not "libertarianism minus some economic freedom" as right-libertarians would try to frame it; it would rather be somewhere outside the chart beyond the northwest edge of it. --Pfhorrest (talk) 05:02, 16 August 2019 (UTC)


 * So the "anticapitalists" hold that they support personal liberties in excess of 100%? That defies all logic. No wonder they have difficulty reconciling the free flow of property and capital with free markets. This makes visualization and quantification of libertarianism, and, in our case, right-libertarianism, even more imperative.
 * JLMadrigal  @  12:04, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * No, you're missing the point that they deny that the Nolan chart's characterization of the axes is accurate, and they use a different kind of chart instead; someone posted one earlier on this same talk page, here. If you were to overlay a Nolan chart on that, the place that left-libertarians would characterize themselves would be in the top-left corner, outside the bounds of the Nolan chart, but not in the terms that the Nolan chart uses. Left-libertarians would say that they support 100% personal liberties and economic liberties, and that right-libertarians support less economic liberty (by having the state restrict who is allowed to access the means of production), but the Nolan chart would map that claim to right-libertarians being more "left", which is nonsense. --Pfhorrest (talk) 16:56, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Pfhorrest, you can't just "overlay" the Nolan hart over another chart with a different pair of vectors. Math doesn't work that way. And what's this "by having the state restrict who is allowed to access the means of production" all about? I have never encountered a libertarian who supports such a restriction. JLMadrigal   @  11:31, 17 August 2019 (UTC)
 * You're obviously completely unfamiliar with left-libertarian theory if you don't understand that bit you quoted. Right-libertarians support private ownership of the means of production, which means that if for example someone wants to graze their cattle on some land (a means of production), some other individual (the owner of that land) may have a right (enforceable by the state) to force that person not to graze there. Left-libertarians would say that the state should not do such things: it should not side with one party to exclude other parties from use of the means of production, it should allow everyone to make use of it (and of course it should continue defending individuals from each other, so the "owner" of the land doesn't get to use violence to exclude others from it himself). In other words, it should not recognize the right to private ownership of the means of production, in much the same way that it should not recognize the right for one person to own another person. Right-libetarians (and capitalists generally) do want states to enforce such rights, which left-libertarians see as a restriction on economic liberty. --Pfhorrest (talk) 18:01, 17 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Left-libertarianism - which, fortunately, this article does not attempt to decipher - seeks to abolish property and dramatically restrict capital and markets. This ideal, as we have seen in the annals of history, requires a state (a totalitarian one at that). Even the plant and animal kingdoms respect property. On the Nolan chart, views favoring such economic restrictions clearly fall to the left. But they cannot be "off the chart" (i.e. 125% in favor of personal liberties - as you infer). Further, I would be delighted if you could produce a quote or reference supporting your claim that libertarians would like the state to enforce "the right for one person to own another person".
 * JLMadrigal  @  11:17, 18 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Yeah, you're just flatly refusing to even try to understand the way that different theories view things now. I'm not arguing for left-libertarianism here, I'm trying to explain to you that the way you view the political spectrum and the way they view the political spectrum are different, and so it is not neutral to use your right-libertarian framing to declare what moderate/centrist on the spectrum is when a left-libertarian framing would disagree. I'm not saying the left-libertarian framing is right, just that the right-libertarian framing is not uncontroversial or neutral.
 * I would just be repeating myself to explain again that left-libertarians do not advocate for "restricting" capital or markets, and absolutely do not advocate for a totalitarian state (none of which have ever claimed to be any kind of libertarian-anything; the original "libertarians", libertarian socialists, called themselves that to distinguish themselves from the state-socialists you're thinking of, and were opposed to the formation of the USSR, PRC, etc). Read what I wrote above again: they advocate for states to do less than they do under capitalism, by not defending private property claims over the means of production. You can disagree about that as the right thing to do, but please just try to at least accurately understand the viewpoint you're disagreeing with.
 * But you're not going to do that, because you can't even accurately understand my comments here, viz: I never claimed that "libertarians would like the state to enforce the right for one person to own another person"; "such rights" in my preceding comment refers to "the right to private ownership of the means of production". I'm beginning to doubt that you're operating in good faith here. --Pfhorrest (talk) 17:34, 18 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Maybe we should start another discussion at the Left Libertarianism article.  Could it be that "Left Libertarianism" has the same problem that I'm saying that this article has.....that it's just a two word sequence with varying meanings, not a distinct topic? North8000 (talk) 22:51, 18 August 2019 (UTC)
 * I disagree that either left-libertarianism or right-libertarian are just two-word sequences without a clear topic, though there is of course variation within the scope of each topic. In any case, suggesting that we move discussion of this to the left-libertarianism article is like suggesting that a discussion at Talk:Christianity about not framing that article as though the Christian worldview is uncontroversially true should be moved to Talk:Atheism instead: the point of bringing up left-libertarianism here is that it's a viewpoint that would disagree with the way that Madrigal wants to frame this article, which makes such framing biased, non-neutral, and so inappropriate for the encyclopedia. We can say that right-libertarians think of themselves in such-and-such way, but we cannot just say that they are such way in the article's own voice when there is disagreement over that claim. --Pfhorrest (talk) 05:58, 19 August 2019 (UTC)
 * What I said was (caps added): "Maybe we should start ANOTHER discussion....." Starting ANOTHER discussion is not moving this one, that would be an outlandish suggestion which you implied I made but which I didn't.North8000 (talk) 10:56, 19 August 2019 (UTC)
 * You chose a natural resource as an example of "means of production". I think that that is a confusing non-typical example, as there is a whole different set of libertarian philosophies regarding natural resources.  More typically it is something like a factory, machinery or business. Are you saying that there is a libertarian philosophy which advocates prohibiting ownership / control of such things ? <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 20:24, 17 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Yes, factories are another common example. Left-libertarians / libertarian socialists would have the state step aside and not protect a factory-owner's claim to ownership of the factory, allowing the workers to control it as they please. --Pfhorrest (talk) 21:04, 17 August 2019 (UTC)
 * OK, thanks for that information.  Sincerely, <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 00:35, 18 August 2019 (UTC)
 * The Nolan chart is useful inside of the US and useless outside of the US. It has uses too many words that have different meanings in the US vs. elsewhere. Regarding that linked-to chart, it's very specialized vs. a big picture, choosing Socialism/Capitalism as an axis.   Also Socialism-in-practice introduces further complexities on these charts as, in practice, it always requires a powerful State. <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 18:01, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * North8000, "too many words that have different meanings" Which words in the Nolan Chart have different meanings elsewhere? I agree that Socialism-in-practice complicates matters. Fortunately this article is not about such fuzzy concepts. JLMadrigal   @  11:31, 17 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Liberal, conservative. For example, in the US, liberal includes expansion of the state regarding social programs (and the taxes to pay for them).  Conservative includes reduction or non-expansion in that area.<b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 14:10, 17 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Those terms are not integral to the chart. Rather they are superimposed over the chart in order to demonstrate the placement of their advocates - according to specific measures. Advocates for Self Government, for example provides a quiz with specific questions relating to the vectors in order to quantify the political views of individual testers.
 * JLMadrigal  @  11:24, 18 August 2019 (UTC)
 * A chart is just a chart / what it is.  And I think that those terms are used in most variants of it.   You are implying that there is some underlying architecture that transcends the terms. That would be cool, but I tend to doubt it. If there is any underlying structure, I think that it is simply dividing the US liberal's and conservative's views into two categories:  "US libertarians agree" and "US libertarians disagree" leading to the resultant axises which best summarize those groups.   And the result is generally a "size of government" and "government control of behavior, especially in social areas"..    I think that Nolan's main goals were to change from the "one axis system" to a 2-axis system which creates a place for US libertarianism.   <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 13:13, 18 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Your right-libertarian bias is showing. In saying that socialism can't exist without a powerful state, you're essentially saying that left-libertarianism cannot possibly be a thing, which, obviously, left-libertarians would disagree with vehemently. --Pfhorrest (talk) 21:04, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * I'm sorry.  I thought that the "in-practice" qualifier might keep me in the clear because left-libertarians that I've discussed this with seemed to acknowledge that socialism without a powerful state is only a hypothetical possibility rather than an in-practice one. Also my comment was in the limited context of the complexity of using it on an axis of a chart. My apologies if I blew it on that post or in this edit summary.  :-)   <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 14:22, 17 August 2019 (UTC)

I don't think the proposed revision is correct. Libertarianism is a term used to refer to anarchism, the strand developed by Rothbard et al and as a synonym for economic liberalism in the U.S. Left liberalism is a strand that developed out of Rothbard's school.

I have a question. Are anarchism and libertarianism two separate topics, or are they two names for the same topic? If they are the same topic, then we could merge them, which would help with naming issues. TFD (talk) 00:09, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Are you referring the proposed revision by ? I that case, I agree. I also share your thoughts; libertarianism should either be merged with anarchism, or perhaps it could remain if there're sources that describe it as a specific form of socialism opposed to all authoritarian and statist forms of communism/socialism, since worldwide libertarian is synonym with anarchism, libertarian socialism and social anarchism. We could remove sections about left-libertarianism (which is actually used to refer to the Steiner–Vallentyne school) and right-libertarianism (the Hess–Nolan–Rothbard school) as you actually stated and move them to the left-libertarianism, right-libertarianism and libertarianism in the United States pages, respectively. I believe this would be the only way to solve this naming issue.--95.245.199.21 (talk) 01:32, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Libertarianism and anarchism are most definitely not the same thing. Beyond My Ken (talk) 02:07, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * They are in certain ways; libertarian is still used as synonym for anarchism/libertarian socialism/social anarchism and was first coined in that sense by Joseph Déjaque, an anarchist and libertarian communist. If by libertarianism you meant libertarianism in the United States, then I agree they are most definetely not the same thing.--95.245.199.21 (talk) 03:53, 16 August 2019 (UTC)


 * See "Anti-Captialism and Libertarian Political Economy" by Deric Shannon: "Sometimes I use the term 'anarchism' as a synonym, as it was intended by the term's creators." EVen in the U.S., the Rothbard-Nolan-Hess school use the terms interchangeably, but the criticism is that they are not real anarchists or libertarians. It's only in the use as a synonym for laissez-faire capitalism that it takes on a different meaning. TFD (talk) 15:56, 16 August 2019 (UTC)

We can't even resolve this little sidebar article and now you want to kick the giant hornet's nest and delete the top level libertarianism article? We had a gigantic range war over somewhat the same topic at that article about 10 years ago. We settled it by just saying to cover all of the strands and explain the situation. The fundamental issue is that the word has two fundamentally different meanings in the US vs elsewhere. Not just different strands of libertarianism practiced, but fundamentally different meanings of the term. It's a tower of babel situation. But the two have much in common. Let's just start with fixing this article. The the common meaning of the English word libertarian in the country which is the largest English-as-a-primary-language country (the US) is a vague term that prioritizes smaller and less intrusive government and individual freedom. The entire common meaning can be be fully defined in about two sentences. It doesn't have a lot of complex philosophical definitions, and any similarity to any named philosophical strand is merely a coincidence. BTW, it is also not the USLP platform. It tacitly accepts capitalism and private ownership of resources as the norm,, but it's ideology does NOT include any specific viewpoint on those things. This isn't about grand complex philosophical issues, it's about acknowledging a common meaning of an English word amongst the majority of people who speak English as a primary language. For our European friends, the closet word in your language for the US meaning of libertarian isn't libertarian, it's liberal. Which is another word that has a very different meaning in the US. :-)  Sincerely, <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 02:27, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Not to compound the vocabulary problem, but "liberalism" in Europe would be "classical liberalism". Beyond My Ken (talk) 02:34, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Indeed, does "libertarianism" actually have any meaning outside the U.S.? Beyond My Ken (talk) 02:35, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Just clarifying, I think that you are saying that the US term for the European "liberal" is "classical liberalism". US libertarianism is often considered to be a renaming of classical liberalism.  <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 02:46, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Yes, sorry to have been obscure, that is what I was saying. Beyond My Ken (talk) 02:59, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * I wouldn't be too sure to classify liberalism in Europe as classical liberalism; there're many social-liberal parties and a strong social-liberal tradition as well, so liberalism is used to refer to both, perhaps more to classical liberalism but not by much. Indeed, this American-style libertarianism has been exported in Europe and a few liberal parties critical of social liberalism call themselves Libertarian. Anyway, libertarianism has a totally different meaning (it goes back to Déjaque) outside the United States, where libertarian is a renaming for liberal in the classical sense. Anyway, I agree with your concerns and I'm not opposed to keep things as they are now, but  raised important questions, as you yourself stated in the discussion above. Does libertarianism refer to anarchism? Does left-libertarianism refer to the Steiner–Vallentyne school? Does right-libertarianism refer to the Hess–Nolan–Rothbard school? I would also change has been used by some authors to simply refers to because the first phrasing makes it seem like it's not a neutral naming and that only some authors use it when I thought the consensus was that right-libertarianism is a neutral, correct name.  himself stated that Right libertarianism is the WP:COMMONNAME for this political ideology, then surely there's some sources consensus and it's not just some authors; or did I misunderstand you?--95.245.199.21 (talk) 03:53, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * I agree with your whole post, including the "refers to" change.  With emphasis on the importance of answering TFD's question.<b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 12:53, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * One update and one tweak. The update is to make the change that you suggested. Since it was basically removing some wording I put in in mid July, I figured that the change would not need a big discussion.  Second I should have said I agree with 95% of  your post.  The other 5% is that so far we just decided to not make the move/redirect/name change, with no decision on the merits of the term itself. <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 16:11, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * The term libertarianism is used in describing U.S. politics as a synonym for economic liberalism, i.e., less spending on social programs, less regulation and lower taxes. But it also refers to the ideology and movement set up by Rothbard, Nolan and Hess, which drew on anarchist literature and adopted anarchist symbols. TFD (talk) 16:03, 16 August 2019 (UTC)
 * I'm tending to go more on common meanings of the term. I think that you are also referring to the political science realm.  Which I think is referring to small groups of people with more fully developed philosophies.  I would also put the USLP in that category.   BTW, in the US "anarchy" has a very negative common meaning.....more likely to be described as a breakdown of order with riots in the streets throwing firebombs. Maybe 1% of Americans would know of it's political science meaning. <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 16:41, 16 August 2019 (UTC)

New lede
Here's a compromise:

(Nolan chart here with right half of libertarian quadrant shaded)


 * "The term right-libertarianism is interpreted differently by different political camps. For libertarians in the US and other regions who include economic liberalization in their interpretation of libertarianism in general, right-libertarian refers specifically to those who hold to right-of-center views such as pro-life, centralized military, immigration restrictions, trade restrictions, legislated morality, and other viewpoints that align to some extent with those on the right (i.e. Republicans)."

(anticapitalism-capitalism chart here with right half shaded)


 * "For traditional libertarians who oppose capitalism, all libertarians who support both economic and social liberalization are included in the definition. In this case, the right/right-wing in libertarianism doesn't necessarily refer to the ideology's position on the political spectrum, but rather its position relative to traditional libertarian views regarding property and capital."

JLMadrigal  @  12:31, 19 August 2019 (UTC)


 * The phrasing "economic liberalization" still framing things from a right-libertarian (in that second sense) perspective. Left-libetarians would not say that they are against economic liberalization, they would say that they are more for it than right-libertarians, that capitalism is inherently un-libertarian and being against it is favoring more economic liberty. That is the big ideological difference that I keep trying to communicate to you.
 * Also, if anything the order of these two paragraphs should be reversed, both because the second sense is the more prominent one and because the first sense is a subset of the second sense.
 * And I'd like to see some sources that the first sense is even a thing in usage at all, because I've only ever heard the term used in the second sense, and that is what the entirety of this article is about right now. --Pfhorrest (talk) 15:45, 19 August 2019 (UTC)
 * The current article conflates neoliberalism with paleolibertarianism. In order to fix it, the distinction will first need to be clarified. The former support economic and personal liberation while the latter combine cultural conservativism. To be true to the title, the article will need to limit itself to a description of the latter along with an expansion of its variants and proponents, and include right-leaning individuals who associate with libertarianism such as Ron Paul, Rand Paul, Justin Amash, &c. As you stated, central libertarianism supports economic liberation. The fact that some writers make an unfounded distinction between free markets and the free exchange of property does not change this fact.
 * JLMadrigal  @  17:17, 19 August 2019 (UTC)
 * You can’t just keep ignoring the point that I keep reiterating to you. This article is about a broader topic than either neoliberalism or paleolibertarianism, both of which fall under the umbrella of right-libertarianism: anti-state, pro-capitalism. You want to make this article about something narrower than it is about: the right wing OF right-libertarianism. Because you refuse to acknowledge that there is any way besides the Nolan chart to characterize the political spectrum, and that different viewpoints see “economic liberty” to mean something different than your kind of libertarianism sees it, and see your kind of libertarianism as being less in favor of it just as much as you see them as being less in favor of it. This isn’t about the left and right wings of what you think of as libertarianism: this is about two kinds of libertarianism that both see each other as more libertarian than the other, and the other failing either to the left or the right of their “true” libertarianism. —Pfhorrest (talk) 21:14, 19 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Perhaps JLMMadrigal's meaning of the term being totally different is further evidence that it's just a two word sequence with no consistent meaning? <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 21:45, 19 August 2019 (UTC)

IMO the proposal scrambles it up even worse. It defines "right" in the US conservative sense of the term, and lists attributes which most US libertarians oppose.<b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 19:51, 19 August 2019 (UTC)

A simple solution to the left-right thing
Here is a quick thought that I hope will help make everyone involved feel less uncomfortable about using the term "right" in the name here.

Would you all agree that left-libertarianism or libertarian socialism is located to the left, on any political spectrum, of the kind of propertarian, pro-capitalist libertarianism that this article is about?

Does it not then follow immediately that this kind of libertarianism is to the right of that kind?

And that therefore, between those two different kinds of libertarianism, this is the right-more variety?

Why then is it a problem to call the kind of libertarianism that's on the right side of the broad spectrum of libertarianisms "right-libertarianism"?

Sure, within that kind there can be further divisions into left and right, but that's a different topic that's irrelevant to this broader point. And it only makes sense to limit "right-libertarianism" to mean that sub-subdivision if you deny or ignore the existence of left-libertarianism, and think that the propertarian, pro-capitalist kind is the entirety of libertarianism. Which it clearly is not. --Pfhorrest (talk) 17:56, 20 August 2019 (UTC)
 * I agree, but quibble on details that do not affect your main concept. But I think that the result is pretty much limited to your first sentence. <b style="color: #0000cc;">North8000</b> (talk) 19:19, 20 August 2019 (UTC)


 * The problem is that "left libertarianism" is not libertarian socialism but a subset of capitalist libertarianism but differs on some issues, such as whether a corporation could buy the water in the Great Lakes or the Mississippi and sell it back to us. The other capitalist libertarians who are not left-libertarians are referred to as right libertarians, although the term is rarely used since left libertarianism is relatively insignificant. TFD (talk) 21:13, 20 August 2019 (UTC)


 * As I pointed out already upthread, that is not the exclusive or original sense of the term. From the lede of our own Left-libertarianism article:
 * "In its classical usage, left-libertarianism is a synonym for anti-authoritarian varieties of left-wing politics such as libertarian socialism which includes anarchism and libertarian Marxism, among others.[5][6] Left-libertarianism can also refer to political positions associated with academic philosophers Hillel Steiner, Philippe Van Parijs and Peter Vallentyne that combine self-ownership with an egalitarian approach to natural resources.[7]"
 * (emphasis mine), and from Left-libertarianism:
 * "In its oldest sense, it is a synonym either for anarchism in general or social anarchism in particular. Later it became a term for the left or Konkinite wing of the free-market libertarian movement, and has since come to cover a range of pro-market but anti-capitalist positions, mostly individualist anarchist, including agorism and mutualism, often with an implication of sympathies (such as for radical feminism or the labor movement) not usually shared by anarcho-capitalists. In a third sense it has recently come to be applied to a position combining individual self-ownership with an egalitarian approach to natural resources; most proponents of this position are not anarchists.[5]"
 * --Pfhorrest (talk) 21:54, 20 August 2019 (UTC)
 * "...left-libertarianism or libertarian socialism is located to the left...Does it not then follow immediately that this kind of libertarianism is to the right of that kind?...therefore, between those two different kinds of libertarianism, this is the right-more variety?"

It does not. And here's why: The center of the bird is located to the right of its left wing. It does not follow that the center of the bird is also its right wing. Better, suppose a horse sprouts a left wing. It does not logically follow that it will also sprout a right wing. It may, but having a left wing is not an inevitable precursor to having a right wing. Although a wing of libertarianism that is right of center does indeed exist, the current article does not exclusively describe it. JLMadrigal  @  23:17, 20 August 2019 (UTC)
 * That analogy doesn't work because birds and horses have uncontroversially well-defined bilateral structure with a clear unambiguous center, while political spectra are inherently controversial ways of carving up an unbounded abstract space. There is disagreement about where the center is; that is the point I keep reiterating that you keep ignoring. I'm not saying either side of that disagreement is correct, only that neither is uncontroversially correct, and so we cannot say in the encyclopedia's own voice that one way of framing the spectrum is the right way. The best that we can say is that one is to the left of the other, and the other is to the right of the first; the one on the left of the other is the left one, and the one on the right of the other is the right one. --Pfhorrest (talk) 01:51, 21 August 2019 (UTC)

Pfhorrest, Wikpedia articles are not reliable sources. Now, we need to follow disambiguation guidelines for articles: each article must have a distinct topic and each must use its common name. We cannot combine two different topics and pretend they are the same thing, nor can we create terms that no one uses. See the google scholar search for "right-libertarianism" which was provided above. All the sources are articles about left (capitalist) libertarianism and all define right libertarianism as libertarianism that excludes left libertarianism. TFD (talk) 23:59, 20 August 2019 (UTC)
 * I'm not citing a wikipedia article in another article so saying it's not a reliable source is non-sequitur. I'm pointing you, in this conversation, to a well-sourced wikipedia article on a topic you misspoke of; the second quote from that article is actually a quote from one of its sources, in fact. --Pfhorrest (talk) 01:51, 21 August 2019 (UTC)