Via Anarcho-Capitalists' Forum: Why is the Libertarian Party insignificant in American politics?

There are two sorts of reasons. Structural and ideological.

Structural

Third parties of all stripes have a tough time of things in winner takes all systems. This is observed the world over. And at congressional and presidential level, the American system is an especially pure winner takes all system. So, libertarians who actually care about power tend to work within the Republican Party.

Ideological

Libertarians are extremists. I don't necessarily write that as a criticism. In many ways I am an extremist! But, they hold a bunch of views that many Americans find horrific. An easy example would be their views on the Civil Rights Act. Yes yes, I am aware of all the high falutin' philsophy that leads libertarians to come to the conclusions they do, but all that ain't worth spit in practical politics. When you are explicitly saying that a lunch counter should be able to have a sign that says "blacks not welcome" in 2016, everyone else thinks you are a lunatic.

Like all extremists, libertarians are prone to factional in-fighting about who can be the most ideologically pure. They have a lot in common with the far left in this regard (See also, their devotion to philosophical dogma). This again comes across as ridiculous to anyone who is not a true believer. Libertarians are masters of making the perfect the enemy of the good.

More: https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-Libertarian-Party-insignificant-in-American-politics

Via Anarcho-Capitalists' Forum: Why is the Libertarian Party insignificant in American politics?

Via Anarcho-Capitalists' Forum: Why is the Libertarian Party insignificant in American politics?

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