In my head libertarians are the right and anarchists are the left but they are similar in ideals (little to no government intervention). At least in the sense that if you talk to a libertarian I feel they tend to sound socially right and an anarchist tends to sound socially left. I have no idea if this makes sense at all. If you’re going to tell me to read more, sure, recommend some literature though.

  • Michael@slrpnk.netEnglish
    17·
    12 hours ago

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism#Definitions

    Although libertarianism originated as a form of anarchist or left-wing politics,[27] since the development in the mid-20th century of modern libertarianism in the United States caused it to be commonly associated with right-wing politics, several authors and political scientists have used two or more categorizations[9][10][28] to distinguish libertarian views on the nature of property and capital, usually along left–right or socialist–capitalist lines.[11]

    • yesman@lemmy.world
      301·
      12 hours ago

      TLDR: Classic libertarians think the government should have limited power so they can’t hurt people. American libertarians think the government should have limited power so they can’t help people.

      • Michael@slrpnk.netEnglish
        10·
        12 hours ago

        “Classic” libertarians were largely anarchists, communists, and socialists.

          • Michael@slrpnk.netEnglish
            5·
            11 hours ago

            From the Wikipedia:

            In the late 20th century, many Americans with classical liberal beliefs began to describe themselves as libertarians.

            I was alluding to that, but I appreciate the added clarity.

            • AskewLord@piefed.socialEnglish
              1·
              10 hours ago

              More clarity: modern libertarian was revived in the 1970s and blew up in the 1980s and it took most of it’s core thought from classic liberalism, but considered itself a more ‘pure’ form because it takes a more extreme take on the premises of classical liberalism.

              Basically libertarians came from people who thought classical liberalism wasn’t extreme, or ‘pure’ enough to be a proper ideal theory from which to create an ideal society. They key figure in this is Robert Nozick and book Anarchy, State, and Utopia, 1974, which he wrote as a response to John Rawl’s 1971 A theory of Justice. Both are considered founding texts for modern political philosophy and political science. Rawl’s work is more in line with classical liberalism, but has socialist leanings, which pissed off people like Nozick, because libertarians thing socialism is bad. Rawl’s book was massively influential, far more so that Nozick’s work was.