Just 11% of Americans describe themselves as libertarian and actually know what the term means

[wyldwolf]

Chic Label?

The question of whether libertarianism is gaining public support has received increased attention, with talk of a Rand Paul run for president and a recent New York Times magazine story asking if the “Libertarian Moment” has finally arrived. But if it has, there are still many Americans who do not have a clear sense of what “libertarian” means, and our surveys find that, on many issues, the views among people who call themselves libertarian do not differ much from those of the overall public.

About one-in-ten Americans (11%) describe themselves as libertarian and know what the term means.

Self-described libertarians tend to be modestly more supportive of some libertarian positions, but few of them hold consistent libertarian opinions on the role of government, foreign policy and social issues.

When it comes to attitudes about the size and scope of government, people who say the term libertarian describes them well (and who are able to correctly define the term) are somewhat more likely than the public overall to say government regulation of business does more harm than good (56% vs. 47%). However, about four-in-ten libertarians say that government regulation of business is necessary to protect the public interest (41%).

The attitudes of libertarians similarly differ from the public on government aid to the poor; they are more likely than the public to say “government aid to the poor does more harm than good by making people too dependent on government assistance” (57% vs. 48%), yet about four-in-ten (38%) say it “does more good than harm because people can’t get out of poverty until their basic needs are met.”

more...

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/08/25/in-search-of-libertarians/

[KittyWampus]

1. -snicker-

[Spider Jerusalem]

2. This comes as no surprise, most Americans don't know what "socialism" means, either

[woo me with science]

3. That's true. Most who would vote for a Paul would never describe themselves that way.

The weird surge in popularity of libertarian-leaning candidates is not because there has been an inexplicable surge in Ayn Rand devotees. Most people who would end up voting for a Paul would never label themselves as "Libertarians." They are the independents in the middle who have been lurching back and forth between the major parties trying desperately to find someone who will represent them.

We're not talking about the tiny group of self-identified Libertarians in your survey, who have always constituted the base of the fringe Libertarian Party. We're talking about a larger group in the middle, actual Americans who are frustrated as hell with the corruption of both major political parties. They are frustrated as hell that no major party is representing their interests anymore and looking for a new political home.

Mass spying on Americans? Both parties support it.
Handing the internet to corporations? Both parties support it.
Austerity for the masses? Both parties support it.
Cutting social safety nets? Both parties support it.
Corporatists in the cabinet? Both parties support it.
Tolling our interstate highways? Both parties support it.
Corporate education policy? Both parties support it.
Bank bailouts? Both parties support it.
Ignoring the trillions stashed overseas? Both parties support it.
Trans-Pacific Job/Wage Killing Secret Agreement? Both parties support it.
Drilling and fracking? Both parties support it.
Wars on medical marijuana instead of corrupt banks?
Deregulation of the food industry? Both parties support it.
GMO's? Both parties support it.
Militarized police and assaults on protesters? Both parties support it.
Indefinite detention? Both parties support it.
Drone wars and kill lists? Both parties support it.
Targeting of journalists and whistleblowers? Both parties support it.
Private prisons replacing public prisons? Both parties support it.
Unions? Both parties view them with contempt.

Perhaps the corporate-purchased parties themselves have something to do with this conclusion by the American people:

Poll: Half of Americans dont care which party controls Congress
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024988821

People are so frustrated and disillusioned with the two corporate parties at this point that they are looking for something radical. They are so desperate that they are willing to risk the terrifying aspects of Libertarianism because these people are at least saying *some* of the right things with regard to finally ending the outrageous surveillance state, the predatory and discriminatory drug wars, and the warmongering that is emptying the country from the inside out.

That's why Democrats who care about this country had better make damned sure that we get a better candidate than Hillary Goldman Sachs.....or these voters may, in their desperation, vote to issue in the most dangerous aspects of the Libertarian AND the corporate agenda: the finalization of the privatization and gutting/looting/transfer to private ownership of our education system, our prison system, our national parks and resources....all of the shared wealth of this nation, and the democratic system that ensures our tax dollars are used to benefit and care for all of us.

[Pholus]

4. Word.

Frankly, the only time I hear the term "libertarian" around here is as the purity patrol hurls it as a way to shut dissent down -- because noting the inherent evil in one or more items in your sad but comprehensive laundry list constitutes "disloyalty" or "being unrealistic."

[woo me with science]

5. Spot on: "as a way to shut dissent down."

That's exactly the purpose of it.

It's a horrifying list, isn't it.

[Matrosov]

6. Ironically, many "libertarians" love..

..Medicare and Social Security. "It's not wealth redistribution like welfare and public housing. I actually paid into Social Security, so it's my money!"

Try to point out that it is still wealth redistribution, because the money they're paying now isn't being put into a savings fund for them but goes to the people drawing from Medicare and Social Security right now, and you'll just get a funny look.

On the other hand, actual libertarians like Rand Paul want to get rid of the whole social safety net and eliminate Medicare and Social Security. At least they're not being hypocritical.