Libertarian Populism and Its Discontents: Q&A Ben Domenech, Tim Carney, Jesse Walker, and Nick Gillespie

What is "libertarian populism" and why is it so controversial?

The concept has been discussed widely in the pages of The New York Times, RealClearPolitics, Reason, and elsewhere, but its specifics - and political potential - remain elusive to many in the "Free Minds and Free Markets" movement. 

On Tuesday, July 30, Reason's Nick Gillespie will moderate a fast-paced discussion with two of the architects of libertarian populism, Ben Domenech of The Transom and Tim Carney of the Washington Examiner, and Jesse Walker of Reason (and author of the forthcoming The United States of Paranoia).

Please join us for the conversation, which will be filmed at Reason's DC HQ for release on Reason TV, and participate in the audience Q&A afterwards.

Attendance is free but seating is limited and RSVPs are a must.

What: Libertarian Populism and Its Discontents, featuring Ben Domenech of The Transom, Tim Carney of The Washington Examiner, Jesse Walker of Reason and The United States of Paranoia, and Nick Gillespie of Reason.

When: Tuesday, July 30, 2013, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm

Where: Reason DC HQ, 1747 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009 (near S Street).

RSVP: [e-mail]

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

Libertarian populist? Is that what Sarah Palin is seemingly transforming herself into?

[Rights-Minimalist Autocrat]

I'm sure the coalition will work great, until it doesn't.

[Greg83]

It sounds a lot like what I understand the "libertarian left" to believe. I don't really get the need for the distinction though. Obviously libertarians are opposed to corporatism, but if an entity gets big without government privilege, in a free-market environment, there's a reason for that. Sure, some people would wind up getting exploited, but ultimately it's about individual choice.

[VG Zaytsev]

but if an entity gets big without government privilege

Never happens.

[Free Society]

Libertarian populism, is that like Glenn Beck pseudo-libertarianism?

[Kaptious Kristen]

Sounds insufferably "DC".

[kinnath]

There is nothing of value to be gained by repeating the sloppy language of an idiot with a bullhorn.

There is no such thing as libertarian populism.

[RBS]

Elaine: No one's gonna buy it, and you shouldn't be selling it.

[RBS]

The way it's written it sounds like Jesse is actually from a made up NationStates country.

[Anonymous Coward]

What is "libertarian populism" and why is it so controversial?

It seems inherently contradictory to me, but I get where it's coming from. Some libertarian-leaning folks are actually telling the American people that they have a RIGHT to liberty. And some people are agreeing. This dangerous strain of populism is a form of false consciousness against our proper lords and masters and cannot be allowed to continue.

[Gladstone]

So libertarians should be racist anti-Semites who want to revive the KKK and support more taxes and the Postal Service?

[CatoTheElder]

Don't forget about free coinage of silver!