Reimagining Terminology: Capitalist Libertarians and Left Libertarians

When discussing political ideologies, terms can be as nuanced and varied as the beliefs they describe. One interesting suggestion has been to refer to capitalist libertarians as Liberationist, and to right-libertarians as UltraLiberal. This article aims to explore the implications of these terms and their potential usage within the broader context of libertarianism.

Identity Politics and Its Discontents

Identity politics, a technique within a specific political orientation within the United States, is often viewed with skepticism by libertarians. At its core, identity politics is an extension of the political correctness programming that seeps into our culture, particularly in K-12 educational settings. Those who fall into this trap may find themselves re-creatable in the digital world, forever associating with ideas and ideologies that are contrary to their libertarian beliefs.

Libertarians, by nature, prefer to walk to the beat of their own drum. They are not easily swayed by the conventional wisdom of either the Left or the Right. Libertarians view the flaws of both ideologies as equally valid and worthy of critique. The Left is the keeper of the list of the Right's wrongs, and the Right is the keeper of the list of the Left's wrongs. To libertarians, neither list stands alone as the ultimate authority.

Exploring Libertarian Categories

Libertarianism, both capitalist and socialist, encompasses a myriad of subcategories and beliefs. Capitalist libertarians, also known as right-libertarians, often subscribe to ideologies such as minarchism, objectivism, and anarcho-capitalism. On the other hand, left-libertarians, also referred to as libertarian socialists, include affinities for libertarian Marxism, democratic confederalism, left communism, council communism, anarchism, and De Leonism.

Many right-libertarians embrace the term AnCap (anarcho-capitalism) as a concise description of their beliefs. However, left-libertarians do not typically have a specific term for themselves beyond AnCom (anarcho-communism). While there are those who argue that communism is inherently anarchistic, this belief is not universally held among left-libertarians, who often value individual freedom and oppose state coercion.

Reimagining Terminology

The suggestion to refer to capitalist libertarians as Liberationist and right-libertarians as UltraLiberal is intriguing. While these terms could offer a new perspective on libertarian ideologies, their practical utility may be limited. The term Liberationist could resonate with the idea that left-libertarians aim to lift social laws and hierarchies to liberate the oppressed. Similarly, UltraLiberal could capture the radical nature of right-libertarianism as an extension of classical liberalism.

However, it is important to consider the broader context. Terms like these should be embraced if they promote clarity and understanding. If they merely add complexity without enhancing clarity, they may be less useful. Libertarians should aim for terminology that is both accurate and reflective of their principles, without falling into the traps of identity politics or political correctness.

Ultimately, the choice of terminology is a matter of personal and ideological preference. What matters most is the consistency and authenticity of the terms in relation to the core values of libertarianism.