Libertarian Anti-Militarism And Non-Intervention Is Naive

Posted: 10/19/2014

Violence Still Rules!

In a world, where violence and authoritarianism still dominates large geographical areas and 100s of millions of people, it is downright foolish and simply naive to think by staying out you accomplish anything.

On the contrary, violent people will try to rule wherever they can.

Allies Help Each Other

In a world full of threats from violent people, peaceful, freedom loving people have to voluntarily join together to defeat them whenever and wherever necessary (e.g. coalition of the willing).

This is not Realpolitik, but common sense! That the mighty U.S. military is especially qualified to play a prime role is normal.

This is probably the strongest argument against any libertarian arguments pro anti-militarism or isolationism etc.

Military Readiness Of Allies

Not every ally will always be ready to engage in military campaigns when peaceful, freedom loving people are threatened. But allies should insist that everyone do their best to maintain a capable military force.

That e.g. the Western European plus Turkey allies of NATO have irresponsibly neglected to maintain their military readiness for several decades is inexcusable. Diplomacy has to be backed up by military strength. Paper tigers are not to be feared by violent people.

Unconvincing Examples

Yes, you can argue that U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was an imperialist and should not have intervened in Cuba, Panama etc.

Yes, you can argue that U.S. President Woodrow Wilson had no business to intervene in Europe and World War II would likely not have happened without this professor’s ill conceived engagement.

Yes, you can argue that U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was too eager to get involved in World War II.

Some libertarians are strenuously arguing about the U.S. interventions in Iran or Chile. This so laughable! It is almost as if these libertarians are being paid by someone (e.g. Iran, Russia) to spread such arguments. These interventions happened during the Cold War when the U.S.S.R was aggressively taking over or destabilizing any country possible for their purposes.

However, these bad examples and other like that are ultimately not convincing to defend a strict non-interventionist posture!