The Dilemma and Work of the Social Libertarian

Can one be a political libertarian and on the far left when it comes to social and economic issues? That is dilemma some suffer from and try to resolve. Political libertarianism puts one in the conservative camp. Social and economic ideals put one in the socialist camp. These individuals, call them Social Libertarians, are admittedly a small and marginalized group in modern American politics. Social Libertarianism spans the divisions in American politics between conservatives, liberals, and socialists. Democrat vs. Republican categories work even less well for the Social Libertarian than it does for other brands of political belief.

Social Libertarians can resolve philosophical issues by going back to the ideas and ideals contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the Constitution.

A necessary first step is to recognize that the establishment of a republic in America was a first step toward achieving the ideals expressed in those documents and not the completion of those ideals. America has much to do before arriving at the end of the journey toward these ideals. Some have considered them utopian in the sense they cannot be achieved. They have been the unwitting enemy of democracy because democracy is itself an American ideal that has yet to be reached.

Another essential step for the Social Libertarian is to interpret the Preamble’s “promote the general welfare” clause as speaking to economic rights and equality. A narrow category of property rights has always been taken seriously by Americans. The labor of the citizen has not enjoyed the same reverence. Yet a citizen’s labor is the single most important asset she has. Few arrive at the happy state where they have gained great estates that allow them to disregard their labor asset.

Another essential step is the identification of an economic bill of rights and its inclusion in the Constitution. Attempts have been made at identifying economic bills of rights. Marx takes a shot at it in the Communist Manifesto. Franklin Roosevelt took a shot at it too during the Depression. Their lists agree in some particulars.

Leftist social ideals are sterile without economic rights.

Beyond a well thought out philosophical position, Social Libertarians require a manifesto that elucidates the ideas, ideals, and the goals of a new political party that represents their interests and beliefs. The state of modern America raises the question of whether Social Libertarians can wait for a fully articulated philosophy or whether they should immediately create a manifesto and form a political party. The manifesto should be the priority. A Social Libertarian party will not gain strength and political influence without a manifesto that draws attention to the rightness of its cause.

Ideals are always finish lines at the end of a long hard road. Social Libertarians have the duty as citizens to travel the arduous road toward their ideals. America needs and requires the work and commitment of Social Libertarians to achieve its ideals, for they are one and the same.