The Importance of Principle
One theme throughout the discussion with Peter and Katherine is the principled consistency of the libertarian movement. As Katherine simply put it, “Libertarianism is forward looking and internally consistent.” Whether it’s trade, free markets, or personal freedom, those principles are not going to change because at its core, libertarian belief is rooted in a strong philosophy of human liberty and agency that applies just as much to the economy as it does to our personal lives. These values have placed libertarians outside both the Left and the Right, fully fitting into neither.
While some might recognize libertarians as “the friendly cousin” of both liberals and conservatives, Katherine likes to describe them as “the wacky neighbor.” As Katherine mentions, living in an era when many on the Right are embracing nationalism and the use of state power, libertarian ideas offer a different perspective: “What libertarians have to offer is not this war of all against all…but the proposal to take as much of life as we can out of the hands of politicians and to consider ‘what if no one had the power?’”
Peter sees libertarian ideals as foundational, especially in in the context of America’s founding. The libertarian movement started during “The founding of the United States,” he argues. Peter explains that the Declaration of Independence makes an important case against executive power and the Constitution’s protection of individual rights as written in the Ninth and Tenth Amendments reflects a skepticism of power and strong belief in personal agency. But even in today’s polarized world, Peter remains hopeful: “We are living in the best time that has ever existed to be alive as a human being.” People are enjoying religious and personal freedom around the world to a greater extent than any time in history. Peter credits the emergence of libertarian ideas as the catalyst of this progress.
Optimism About the Future
Looking ahead, Peter and Katherine both remain optimistic and plan to approach the future with innovation at the forefront. By working to foster a culture and policy environment friendly to innovation, they hope to make the world safe for the “next big thing.” While Reason’s libertarian principles remain fixed, the way Katherine and her colleagues defend their ideas and the tools they use to defend them are evolving—from AI, to podcasts, to good old-fashioned print.
Peter and Katherine both can agree: It’s an exciting time to do the work they do. There is always something new to try, thanks to the innovators whose ability to disrupt the status quo libertarians have been working hard to protect. Ultimately, Katherine’s message of looking more towards the future rather than the past is an important perspective to have at hand during our political debates. After all, the future is where we are going to live out the consequences of the choices we make today.
If you’re interested in how liberty-minded thinkers are shaping today’s debates and reimagining what the future of the Right could look like, listen to the full conversation with Katherine Mangu-Ward and Peter Goettler on Giving Ventures, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
