Not an oxymoron. In fact, the term "libertarian" was first used by a French anarcho-communist back in 1857 to describe himself (an anarchist). The modern term libertarianism (economic freedoms) was originally called liberalism. The term "libertarian" describes liberty (thus, the term is also used to describe metaphysical liberty within philosophy and metaphysics), and the term socialism describes a society in which wealth is fairly distributed. Thus, it is neither a literal nor a practical contradiction.
A libertarian socialist would argue that a society based on such huge disparities of wealth is unfree. If you wish to enter into employment, you choose first and take orders later (as with liberal democracy). Libertarian socialists believe in voluntary association and economic democracy. This will allow the individual to reach his/her full potential.
The most famous example of successful libertarian socialism is the anarcho-syndicalist experiment in Spain during to Spanish Civil War, which was eventually destroyed by Communists and Fascists (see Orwell' "Homage to Catalonia" for excellent first hand reportage of this). At its peak, the anarchist union (CNT) had one million members.
Although sharing much of (if not all of) the Marxist analysis of capitalism, lib socialists vehemently oppose state socialism, especially the authoritarian socialism of Lenin, Trotsky, Mao and, more recently, the socialism of Hugo Chavez. The modern dispute between the two schools of socialism began in the First International, in which Karl Marx and Mikhail Bakunin bitterly argued over the road socialists should take. This dispute has continued ever since, with many Marxist regimes imprisoning, murdering (Russia), and exiling (Cuba) anarchists.
A libertarian socialist would argue that a society based on such huge disparities of wealth is unfree. If you wish to enter into employment, you choose first and take orders later (as with liberal democracy). Libertarian socialists believe in voluntary association and economic democracy. This will allow the individual to reach his/her full potential.
The most famous example of successful libertarian socialism is the anarcho-syndicalist experiment in Spain during to Spanish Civil War, which was eventually destroyed by Communists and Fascists (see Orwell' "Homage to Catalonia" for excellent first hand reportage of this). At its peak, the anarchist union (CNT) had one million members.
Although sharing much of (if not all of) the Marxist analysis of capitalism, lib socialists vehemently oppose state socialism, especially the authoritarian socialism of Lenin, Trotsky, Mao and, more recently, the socialism of Hugo Chavez. The modern dispute between the two schools of socialism began in the First International, in which Karl Marx and Mikhail Bakunin bitterly argued over the road socialists should take. This dispute has continued ever since, with many Marxist regimes imprisoning, murdering (Russia), and exiling (Cuba) anarchists.
Modern advocates of libertarian socialism include linguist Noam Chomsky, historian and playwright Howard Zinn, and the Industrial Workers of the World ("One Big Union"), and the International Workers Association (of which the Spanish CNT is its largest affiliate).
by Anarcho-Atheist January 16, 2009
Get the Libertarian Socialism mug.Wine and Cheese Liberals are affluent, live in tony suburbs, and drive SUVs, but vote Democratic. They "support" public education, but send their own kids to private school. Their opinions are politically correct, and are usually expressed as fashion statements rather than as analytical observations.
by tom0942 April 23, 2010
Get the Wine and Cheese Liberal mug.Related Words
Libger
• liberal
• libertarian
• liberalism
• libertarianism
• Liberal Media
• liberal arts
• Liberal Democrats
• liberate
• Liberia
Liberal Artist Hillary Clinton painted a sign saying "I am the first woman President, the sign like her liberal and lying ways has been discarded forever.
by oldhippie16 January 15, 2017
Get the Liberal artist mug.West Georgia Liberation Front (WGLF) was a debate team from West Georgia who referred to themselves as the West Georgia Liberation Front. Their approach was essentially to mock conventions of debate while putting forth the notion that we can't really know anything with certainty, so attempts to discuss the world as something which can be known are ultimately doomed to fail.
by Colethetrololol October 24, 2012
Get the West Georgia Liberation Front mug.The libero is the best defensive specialist but it is still necessary to attack and set. The libero is always on the court getting serve receives and digs. She/he must be willing to do anything to keep a ball up and must want it passionately to succeed. Libero means free, she has unlimited substitutions and wears a different colored jersey. The libero is the toughest position in volleyball.
by 140L November 15, 2016
Get the libero mug.The act of adopting children from a third world orphanage for the purpose of. Ritualistic sacrafice at illuminati ceremonies.
by Ranchgirls December 8, 2020
Get the Liberian Luncheon mug.When the brain falls out of the opening of the human mind, the human becomes a liberal zombie, and can coexist peacefully only with its own kind. To survive amidst a liberal zombie, appear vulnerable or socially awkward, and avoid anything of potentially offensive nature.
by SArchangel June 25, 2016
Get the liberal zombie mug.