Factions in the Libertarian Party (United States)

The Libertarian Party in the United States is composed of various factions, sometimes described as left and right, although many libertarians reject use of these terms to describe the political philosophy.^[1]

As of 2024, notable caucuses within the party include the hardline and paleolibertarian Mises Caucus, the traditionalist and more left-leaning Classical Liberal Caucus, and the Radical Caucus. There are also smaller groups such as the Pro Life Caucus and Bitcoin Caucus.^[2]

^
Duncan Watts, Understanding American government and politics: a guide for A2 politics students, 2nd Revised edition, Manchester University Press, 16 March 2006, p 246 IBN 978-0719073274: "Libertarians feel that neither left nor right can be trusted to defend the rights of individuals." See also:
- Leonard Read rejected these terms as "authoritarian". Neither Left Nor Right Archived 2008-06-21 at the Wayback Machine, The Freeman, February 1998, Vol. 48 No. 2.
- Walter Block rejected the labels being even in making differentiations between libertarians who were largely pro-property. Author "Libertarianism is unique; it belongs neither to the right nor the left," Journal of Libertarian Studies, Volume 22 (2010): 127–70.
- Sheldon Richman writes about this in Libertarianism: Left or Right? Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Future of Freedom Foundation's "Freedom Daily," June 2007. "Is libertarianism of the Left or of the Right? We often avoid this question with a resounding 'Neither!'" He also points out that left and right were "first used in the French Legislative Assembly after the revolution of 1789. In that context those who sat on the right side of the assembly were steadfast supporters of the dethroned monarchy and aristocracy – the ancien régime – (and hence were conservatives) while those who sat on the left opposed its reinstatement (and hence were radicals). It should follow from this that libertarians, or classical liberals, would sit on the left."
^ "What are America's Libertarians for?". The Economist. 2024-05-28. Archived from the original on 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-09-27.

[1] Duncan Watts, Understanding American government and politics: a guide for A2 politics students, 2nd Revised edition, Manchester University Press, 16 March 2006, p 246 IBN 978-0719073274: "Libertarians feel that neither left nor right can be trusted to defend the rights of individuals." See also:
Leonard Read rejected these terms as "authoritarian". Neither Left Nor Right Archived 2008-06-21 at the Wayback Machine, The Freeman, February 1998, Vol. 48 No. 2.

Walter Block rejected the labels being even in making differentiations between libertarians who were largely pro-property. Author "Libertarianism is unique; it belongs neither to the right nor the left," Journal of Libertarian Studies, Volume 22 (2010): 127–70.

Sheldon Richman writes about this in Libertarianism: Left or Right? Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Future of Freedom Foundation's "Freedom Daily," June 2007. "Is libertarianism of the Left or of the Right? We often avoid this question with a resounding 'Neither!'" He also points out that left and right were "first used in the French Legislative Assembly after the revolution of 1789. In that context those who sat on the right side of the assembly were steadfast supporters of the dethroned monarchy and aristocracy – the ancien régime – (and hence were conservatives) while those who sat on the left opposed its reinstatement (and hence were radicals). It should follow from this that libertarians, or classical liberals, would sit on the left."

[2] Leonard Read rejected these terms as "authoritarian". Neither Left Nor Right Archived 2008-06-21 at the Wayback Machine, The Freeman, February 1998, Vol. 48 No. 2.

[3] Walter Block rejected the labels being even in making differentiations between libertarians who were largely pro-property. Author "Libertarianism is unique; it belongs neither to the right nor the left," Journal of Libertarian Studies, Volume 22 (2010): 127–70.

[4] Sheldon Richman writes about this in Libertarianism: Left or Right? Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Future of Freedom Foundation's "Freedom Daily," June 2007. "Is libertarianism of the Left or of the Right? We often avoid this question with a resounding 'Neither!'" He also points out that left and right were "first used in the French Legislative Assembly after the revolution of 1789. In that context those who sat on the right side of the assembly were steadfast supporters of the dethroned monarchy and aristocracy – the ancien régime – (and hence were conservatives) while those who sat on the left opposed its reinstatement (and hence were radicals). It should follow from this that libertarians, or classical liberals, would sit on the left."

[w394-2] "What are America's Libertarians for?". The Economist. 2024-05-28. Archived from the original on 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-09-27.

[1]

[2]