Progressive Libertarianism

This is an anthology of all of my posts in the Progressive Libertarianism series.

Summary of Part 1 of Progressive Libertarianism: I discuss how free-market libertarianism was originally a radical leftwing or center-left philosophy that questioned the legitimacy of capitalist property, noting how rightwing libertarianism didn’t exist prior to ca. 1960. I briefly touch on leftwing market anarchism and geo-libertarianism before moving on to the centrist libertarianism of Milton Friedman and F. A. Hayek. I discuss “commercial republicanism,” “consequentialist libertarianism,” and “dialectical libertarianism” in particular.

Summary of Part 2 of Progressive Libertarianism: I discuss how Hayek’s thought both borrowed from and departed from Burkean conservative thought. I go into Hayek’s ideas regarding spontaneous order, social evolution, and the knowledge problem.

Summary of Part 3 of Progressive Libertarianism: I discuss the basic structure proposed by Milton Friedman and F. A. Hayek (i.e. a minimum income guarantee alongside social insurance to ensure universal access to affordable healthcare). I argue that this basic structure is actually nearly optimal from an egalitarian redistribution standpoint. Furthermore, I discuss the “distributist” and “property-owning democracy” ideas of Neol Skelton, Hilaire Belloc, and G. K. Chesterton. I argue that Hayek and Friedman actually did have some sympathies with this distributist perspective and make the case that the Hayek/Friedman variety of libertarianism and the Skelton/Belloc philosophy of distributism are not only compatible but really ought to go hand-in-hand.

Summary of Part 4 of Progressive Libertarianism: I discuss a dialectical libertarian approach to law and order, drawing on natural law theory and libertarian philosophies regarding private and communal security production. I reference thinkers like C.S. Lewis for natural law, highlighting its universal morality, and explore the evolution of law from customary practices to formal legal systems. I look at how Gustave de Molinari and Benjamin Tucker’s advocacy for competition in security services contrasts with Murray Bookchin’s vision of communal, directly democratic policing. The piece argues for a libertarian system favoring restorative justice over punitive measures, suggesting reforms towards decriminalizing victimless crimes and advocating for police and criminal justice reforms to align with libertarian ideals.

Summary of Part 5 of Progressive Libertarianism: I discuss how free banking might operate as a libertarian alternative to central banking under a monopolistic government monetary system. I look at the existing system from a dialectical perspective and contemplate how certain policy proposals (like NGDP level targeting and direct stimulus) might actually mimic what would happen under free market conditions.

I will update this anthology post as new posts in this series come out.