2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor- Jonathan L. Wharton
Jonathan L. Wharton
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Dear Editor,
I am amazed (or more like amused) at the confusion of most (not all) Stevens students when I mention that I have libertarian views. In fact, when I updated my facebook page recently, I heard a lot of, "you're a communist, right?" or "you're more conservative than conservatives."
Well for the record, there's a misconception of libertarianism and I think it is important to clarify what it means. Like many political ideologies, there are several versions of libertarianism. Ideally, it means that you believe in freedom - where the state (i.e. the government) is not completely involved in various aspects of your life. This can range from the government telling you where you can and cannot smoke; what you can or cannot eat; or who you can or cannot marry. In the modern era, many associate libertarianism with free trade and not allowing the government to impose taxes, unfair policies and other practices on the economy (see CATO.org - a libertarian think tank). Other forms of libertarianism include not embracing the welfare state (i.e. entitlement programs, tax abatements or corporate grants).
Admittedly I don't go that far with the economic version of libertarianism. However, I do feel that the state does impose too much of its will on the people and that few people are actually engaged in the political process. And while I am always skeptical of power and I embrace my gadfly beliefs, I have been jaded from my political experience working for Congress and the New Jersey State Legislature (when you have seen how policies are written and many of the same leaders do not adhere to them, you have to wonder).
I see true libertarianism coming from the Enlightenment Era when philosophers and political theorists grew concerned with governmental power over the French and English citizens. Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke were deemed "classic liberals" because they not only challenged the English and French governments, they embraced freedom and wanted to ensure that the people's will was not infringed by some "Leviathan" or abusive "social contract." Hence for me, I ascribe more to their perspective as well as some of the founders of this country. George Mason for instance challenged the Framers to include a Bill of Rights to make certain the state would not impose its power over the people (So when one thinks about it, would today's Congress pass the Bill of Rights?)
I hope this helps put some perspective on what libertarianism means. It is not about being a Republican or Democrat (though the vast majority of libertarians are Republican and that is starting to change). Libertarianism is about recognizing power and finding ways to challenge it, while seeking ways to protect the few freedoms we have in society.
Sincerely,
Jonathan L. Wharton
Affiliate Assistant Professor
Humanities-Social Sciences
I am amazed (or more like amused) at the confusion of most (not all) Stevens students when I mention that I have libertarian views. In fact, when I updated my facebook page recently, I heard a lot of, "you're a communist, right?" or "you're more conservative than conservatives."
Well for the record, there's a misconception of libertarianism and I think it is important to clarify what it means. Like many political ideologies, there are several versions of libertarianism. Ideally, it means that you believe in freedom - where the state (i.e. the government) is not completely involved in various aspects of your life. This can range from the government telling you where you can and cannot smoke; what you can or cannot eat; or who you can or cannot marry. In the modern era, many associate libertarianism with free trade and not allowing the government to impose taxes, unfair policies and other practices on the economy (see CATO.org - a libertarian think tank). Other forms of libertarianism include not embracing the welfare state (i.e. entitlement programs, tax abatements or corporate grants).
Admittedly I don't go that far with the economic version of libertarianism. However, I do feel that the state does impose too much of its will on the people and that few people are actually engaged in the political process. And while I am always skeptical of power and I embrace my gadfly beliefs, I have been jaded from my political experience working for Congress and the New Jersey State Legislature (when you have seen how policies are written and many of the same leaders do not adhere to them, you have to wonder).
I see true libertarianism coming from the Enlightenment Era when philosophers and political theorists grew concerned with governmental power over the French and English citizens. Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke were deemed "classic liberals" because they not only challenged the English and French governments, they embraced freedom and wanted to ensure that the people's will was not infringed by some "Leviathan" or abusive "social contract." Hence for me, I ascribe more to their perspective as well as some of the founders of this country. George Mason for instance challenged the Framers to include a Bill of Rights to make certain the state would not impose its power over the people (So when one thinks about it, would today's Congress pass the Bill of Rights?)
I hope this helps put some perspective on what libertarianism means. It is not about being a Republican or Democrat (though the vast majority of libertarians are Republican and that is starting to change). Libertarianism is about recognizing power and finding ways to challenge it, while seeking ways to protect the few freedoms we have in society.
Sincerely,
Jonathan L. Wharton
Affiliate Assistant Professor
Humanities-Social Sciences