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sc94597 on 24 August 2013
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killerzX said:
sc94597 said:
Mr Khan said:

Ultimately, Libertarianism is not acceptable to the American political mainstream, which is why it only ever gains traction on the fringes, though it wins some of its small victories.

I think you're going to be surprised in the near future when there will not only be a large segement of libertarianism in the Republican party, but also the Democratic party. Do remember that until the 1930's, classical liberalism was the overwhelmingly dominant political philosophy in the United States, and it hasn't died as it had in Europe, and Asia (arguably never born in Asia.) 

not going to happen, the party's platform moves further from libertarianism and gets more more statist every election cycle.

i can forsee the the republican party perhaps fracturing, or splitting. we are starting to see that already. We have the establisment republicans that are progressive/ big governments-lite, and then you have the tea party types and the libertarian wings of the party. the latter groups or genuinelly for limited constituional government, the former part of the republican party as different from the democratic party as many people think. the last 4 years there has sort of been a clash within the republican party, of where its member want it to go.

but as for libertarianism gaining ground within the democratic party. not a chance, there's a greater probability of a 3rd party playing a major part in a presidential election than the DNC getting libertarians

The two-party system doesn't allow for splits. Just shifts in paradigms. This election cycle has shown a more libertarian Republican house, and with some work we can have a libertarian Republican senate. After the Bush era, and the failure of Obama's "promises" there has been a shift among the general public toward libertarianism of some extent (at least 1/3rd of the U.S population according to polls.) As for the democratic party, once the republican establishment falls (which it is currently) so will it's twin the the democratic party. You'll see more influence from both left-wing libertarians and with the common interests right-wing libertarians. Overall we'll she a shift toward the right (smaller government) because it's necessary for the left-winged libertarians to reach their goals.